Police in massive raid of criminal hideouts

….Scoops up 32 suspects, arm cache, vehicles, etc
It was another success story for the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force as 31 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers were arrested.

The hoodlums are alleged to have been terrorising motorists and small villages along the Abuja-Kaduna and Abuja – Minna Highways for months.

Their arrest followed the reinforcement of Operation Absolute Sanity on the Highways by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris.

The IGP had ordered for more personnel from the Special Tactical Squad and additional two Units of Special Police Forces to tackle the gangs of Kidnappers that escaped arrest on Abuja – Kaduna Highway and relocated to some roads in Niger State.

The reinforcement paid off as the suspects were arrested in their hideouts and camps where some of their victims were rescued and exhibits recovered from them.

Giving details of the arrests, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood who paraded the suspects at Dikko, near Suleja in Niger State, revealed that some of the suspects put on military uniform to perpetrate their evil acts.

The arrested suspects include – Hussaini Mohammed (alleged gang leader), Adamu Hussaini, Bala Mohammed, Shagari Musa (shot dead), Hassan Hashimu, Ibrahim Badamasi, Babangida Hamza, Ya’u Auta (Deceased), Alh. Umaru Abubakar, Karo Ladan, Buhari Abubakr, Alanshira Abubakar and Aziru Tasiu.

Others include Ibrahim Musa, Ishamu Saidu, Sani Aliyu, Shuaibu Abubakar, Bashir Abubakr, Nasiru Sani, Zayanu Sani, Isa Salisu, Hafiz Jibrin, Kabiru Sani, Abdullahi Adam, Bara’u Masaudu, Ibrahim Hassan, Aliyu Chede, Bello Abdullahi, Isa Abdulahi, Nasiru Adamu and Idris Dauda.

Items recovered from the suspects, CSP Moshood said, include firearms, ammunitions, army camouflage uniforms and operational vehicles.

A breakdown of the cache reveals 4 No. Ak 47 rifles, two English barrette pistols, two locally made pistols, five set of army camouflage uniform, five military caps, three military boots, one international passport belonging to a kidnapped victim, eight operational vehicles; two Sharon vehicles ash and green colours respectively.

Others include two Golf Volkwagen vehicles (black and red colours), one Honda Civic, blue colour, one Toyota Camry, one Mercedes Salon car, one Toyota Corolla, 95 No. 7.62 X 39mm ammunition, 15 9mm ammunition, three walkie-talkies, four plasma televisions, four DVD players, two laptops, two car stereos, one wrist watch, 52 No. GSM phones, one digital camera, seven flash drives, six ATM cards and one stabilizer.

The Police Spokesperson revealed that the gang is responsible for the recent killings of some security personnel on Kaduna–Abuja road and Abuja–Lokoja road. They are alleged to have confessed to have raped some of their victims.

“Most of the suspects were identified by the victims and for being responsible for their kidnap. Investigation is being intensified to arrest the other suspects still at large. All the suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of investigations.

“While the operation is being sustained, the Inspector-General of Police has directed the Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the zones and commands to introduce new strategies in curbing kidnappings and other violent crimes on the highways and major roads in other states of the country,” the spokesperson said.

“They are also directed to beef up security in their Area of Responsibilities (AOR) and ensure massive deployment of Armed Police Personnel, Patrol Teams and undercover operatives to black spots, flash points

and other vulnerable criminal spots to nip in the bud all forms of crimes and criminality nationwide and make sure that detection of crimes are prompt to serve as effective deterrent to would-be criminals. The ongoing raids on criminal hideouts will be sustained throughout the country,” the cop assured.