Troops capture 12 suspected kidnappers, seize motorcycles, pistols and others

The brave troops of 6th Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) successfully captured 12 suspected kidnappers.

Acting Deputy Director of Public Relations, 6th Brigade Army, Captain Olubodunde Oni, stated that soldiers seized 14 motorcycles, a locally produced pistol and two bags of Indian hemp in Taraba State.

The arrest followed a distress call from residents of Chachanji village regarding the abduction of two people by a group of about 10 armed men on motorcycles on November 7, 2024.

The statement also stated that in a subsequent operation based on reliable intelligence, soldiers arrested 12 suspects on November 9, 2024 and seized 14 motorcycles from a local speakeasy in Mbhakyir village near Agu Centre.

“During intense investigation, the arrested suspects confessed to being part of the kidnapping operation and identified their leader as Veior John Gata, a notorious terrorist who is on the wanted list of security agencies for organizing criminal activities in Taraba south and Benue,” he said.

The suspects also admitted that Veior was with them at Agu Center on November 5, 2024, before the murder of two local residents and the abduction of two persons on November 6 and 7 respectively in Chachanji general area.

The statement added: “While appreciating the cooperative efforts of the residents and encouraging them to continue providing timely and reliable information to facilitate security operations, the 6th Brigade Nigerian Army is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all communities within its area of ​​operations.

“The public is advised to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies.”