By Saidu Adamu
Troops of the 6 Brigade,b Nigeria Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested 12 persons suspected to be involved in kidnapping and other vices in Taraba State.
Captain Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Directo, 6 Brigade, Army Public Relations, Jalingo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
He said the troops recovered one locally made pistol, 14 motorcycles and Two bags of Indian Hemp.
“Following a distress call from the residents of Chachanji village in Takum Local Government regarding the abduction of two individuals by a group of about 10 armed men on motorcycles on 7 November 2024 and acting immediately, troops launched a rapid response operation aimed at rescuing the victims and intercepted the kidnappers.
“Upon making contacts with the armed group, the superior firepower of the troops forced the kidnappers to withdraw deep into the forest, leaving behind their locally fabricated pistol and two bags of Indian hemp.
“The troops’ thorough exploitation of the area prevented further criminal activity and disrupted the kidnappers’ operations,” the statement disclosed.
He explained that in a subsequent follow-up operation which was based on credible intelligence, troops on 9 November 2024 arrested 12 suspects and seized 14 motorcycles at a local drinking joint in Mbhakyir village close to Agu Center in the neighborhood.
According to the statement, during an intensive interrogation, the arrested suspects admitted to being part of the kidnapping operation and identified their leader as one Veior John Gata, a notorious terrorist who has been on the wanted list of security agencies for orchestrating criminal activities in parts of southern Taraba and Benue States.
He said : “The suspects further confessed that Veior was with them at Agu center on November 5, 2024 before the killing of Two locals and abduction of the two individuals on 6th and 7th November respectively at Chachanji general area.
“They added that Veior was displeased with the locals in Chachanji, hence he want to ensure the market is closed down by instilling fear in the mind of both buyers and sellers.”
While commending the efforts of the residents for their cooperation and encouraging them to continue providing timely and credible information to facilitate security operations, the 6 Brigade said it remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of all communities within its area of operation.
The statement urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies for immediate intervention. (vitalnewsngr.com)
