Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command in collaboration with local hunters have neutralized a trans-border kidnapping gang in Giade Local Government Area of the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Auwal Muhammad, who disclosed this while briefing journalists on Monday, February 12, 2024, said the deadly gang was not limited to kidnapping activities but also hired and paid to kill people.
According to the CP, a team of police and hunters engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel on Sunday night, killing all.
“Taping from the fruits of collaboration with relevant security agencies, on the 11th February 2024 at about 0200hrs, information at the disposal of the Command indicated that some unknown people numbering about five (5) armed with AK-47 rifles, invaded Giade LGA with the sole aim to kidnapp innocent citizens of the locality,” the CP stated.
“On receiving the information, a team of detectives in collaboration with Ahmed Ali Kwara Hunters Squad swiftly swung into action and engaged the suspected kidnappers in a gun duel. As a result, all of the suspected bandits were neutralized instantly.
“Preliminary investigation uncovered that the suspected kidnappers were invited by one Abdullahi, surname unknown from Bauchi and Taraba States respectively.
“Furthermore, the kidnappers were the same gang who kidnapped one Emeka of Itas-Gadau some times in the year 2023 and collected the sum of ten (10) million naira as ransom; they also kidnapped one person in Giade and collected the sum of Seven hundred and seventy-four thousand naira (774,000).
“The suspected kidnappers were not limited to kidnapping criminal activities but also hired and paid to kill people. They killed/burned to ashes one Ibrahim Dodo of Baranda village Jigawa State.
“Again, it is the same armed men who terrorized Burra, Ningi, Jama’are, Itas-Gadau, and Giade LGAs area of Bauchi State.
“The Command has been on its ours where we engaged and neutralized some of their gang members in a daring operation at Jama’are, Ningi, and now in Giade LGAs of Bauchi State.
“It is worthy to note that these successes were made through collective efforts and collaboration made possible with the Ahmed Ali Kwara Hunters Squad and the following prohibited firearms were recovered from them:
1. One hundred and three (103) live ammunition 7.62x39mm calibre of AK47 rifle.
2. Three (3) live ammunition 9mm calibre.
3. Four (4) Cartridges
4. Five (5) magazine
5. Two (2) locally made Pistol
6. One (1) AK-47 rifle
7. One (1) AK-49 rifle
8. One (1) locally-made AK-47
