The Bauchi State Police Command, working with other security agencies, neutralised a large number of alleged kidnappers and bandits and found two AK-47 rifles in their hideouts in the Dajin Madam and Yankari forests in the state's Alkaleri Local Government Area as part of an ongoing effort to stop the tide of kidnapping in the state.
Many of the criminals fled with gunshot wounds, according to the state police public relations officer (PPRO), SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, who made this revelation in a statement yesterday that was made accessible to journalists.
According to him, “On the eve of the new year, the police operatives attached to the Command in conjunction with other sister security agencies attacked kidnappers/bandits’ hideouts at Dajin Madam and Yankari forests.”
“During the daring operation, several bandits were neutralised and dislodged from their enclaves, while others fled in disarray into the deep forest with possible bullet wounds. In the same vein, the troops sustain patrol and clearance operations around the thick forests to arrest the fleeing suspects. Consequently, two AK-47 rifles were recovered during the operation.
“Furthermore, the Police Command is recording unprecedented success in the fight against the kidnapping menace in the state, as unrelenting police operations in the affected areas hugely impacted the kidnapping activities, thereby denying the kidnappers/bandits a breathing space to carry out their nefarious activities at Rimi, Magama, Bagwas, Mansur, Pali, and Yalo villages.”
He added that: “In another development, two suspects were arrested on December 27, 2022 at about 1600hrs by the operatives attached to the Command Anti-Kidnapping unit based 4, following credible intelligence available at their disposals.
“The suspect, Adamu Mohammed, 33, was arrested alongside his accomplice Datti Bulama, 35, of Maimadi Ward via Pali district.
“Investigation revealed that the principal suspect (Adamu Muhammad) confessed to having participated in kidnapping
activities in Kaltanga village where they kidnapped four people and camped them at Yankari Forest for about five days until the sum of N20 million was paid as ransom, out of which the sum of N30,000 was given to him as his share of the proceed of the crime.
“The investigation is in progress after which the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.”
While commending the efforts of the operatives, the state Commissioner of Police, Aminu Alhassan, reiterated the readiness of the Command to synergistically operate with other sister security agencies towards improving the security disposition of the state.”
He equally called on the members of the public to always inform the Police Command of the whereabouts of criminals and their hideouts, especially those on the run with suspected bullet wounds to report to the nearest police station.