Troops arrest 12 kidnappers, seize motorcycles, weapons in Taraba

Troops from the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested 12 suspected kidnappers and recovered several items, including 14 motorcycles, a locally made pistol, and two bags of Indian hemp in Taraba State.

According to Captain Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director of 6 Brigade Army Public Relations, the arrests came after a distress call from Chachanji village on November 7, 2024, reporting the abduction of two individuals by a group of armed men on motorcycles.

Following up on credible intelligence, the troops conducted a subsequent operation on November 9, leading to the arrest of the 12 suspects at a local drinking joint in Mbhakyir village, near Agu Centre, where 14 motorcycles were also seized.

In the course of an intense investigation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping operation, identifying their leader as Veior John Gata, a notorious terrorist on the wanted list of security agencies for his criminal activities in southern Taraba and Benue states. The suspects also revealed that Gata had been with them at Agu Centre before the killing of two locals and the abduction of two others on November 6 and 7 in the Chachanji area.

The statement further praised the cooperation of the local community and encouraged continued sharing of credible information to aid security efforts. The 6 Brigade Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of all communities within its operational area and urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies.