Metro

Police Arrest Female Gunrunner, 6 Kidnappers, Bandits’ SIM Supplier In Zamfara

Published

3 years ago

February 17, 2023

Editor

Zamfara State Police Command has busted a kidnapping syndicate and arrested six members of the gang (including one who masterminded the kidnap of his mother) and recovered N30 million collected as ransom.

Addressing journalists at the Zamfara State Police Headquarters, the state police commissioner, who spoke through the command’s spokesman, SP Mohammed Shehu, said police operatives had acted on intelligence gathered through community policing.

The suspects were identified as Thomas Yau of Maikarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Abdulsamad Mohammed, Bello Abdullahi and Abubakar Namadi.

Others are Suleiman Gabriel and Christopher Gabriel, all of the same address.

Divulging the details of the arrest, he said: “On 12th February 2023, Zamfara Police Command through its community policing engagement acted on intelligence information that led to the busting of a kidnapping syndicate and the arrest of six notorious kidnappers who have been terrorising different villages in Kaduna, Kano and other neighbouring states such as Zamfara, Sokoto and so on.”

Continuing, he stated: “In the course of investigation, it was discovered that the suspects had carried out a series of kidnappings where an unspecified number of people were abducted and millions of naira collected as ransom.”

“Each suspect further narrated the number of kidnappings he participated in as well as the role he played in each kidnapping.

“Surprisingly, one of the suspects, Thomas Ya’u confessed that sometime last year, he masterminded the kidnapping of his biological mother and three others; as a result of the kidnapping, they collected the sum of N30 million from relations as ransom, and, in turn, he was given one million as his share. The case is under discreet investigation and will be charged to court for prosecution.”

Speaking further, the police spokesman explained that the command also arrested a female gunrunner who specialised in supplying arms to bandits and criminal elements in Zamfara and neighbouring states.

According to him, 325 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition were recovered from the suspect, Fatima Sani, who hailed from Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of the state.

Shehu recounted: “On 13th February 2023 Police detectives arrested the female gunrunner in possession of 325 rounds of live ammunition, following the intelligence information obtained about her movement with the said exhibit from Lafia in Nasarawa State to a notorious bandit’s kingpin hibernating in the Zamfara forest.

“In the course of interrogation, the suspect confessed to having earlier supplied three AK-47 rifles and 1, 000 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition to bandits operating within Zamfara. A discreet investigation is in progress and the suspect will be charged to court for prosecution.”

He also disclosed the arrest of Rabiu Umar of Gusau who was arrested with 1, 000 registered MTN SIM cards which are allegedly sold to bandits and other criminal elements.

“On 15th February 2023, upon intelligence that the suspect was seen with an uncountable number of registered MTN sim cards.

“Police operatives swung into action, arrested the suspect and conducted an on-the-spot search and the exhibits were recovered from him. The suspect confessed that the sim cards were for sale to customers looking for registered sim cards,” he stated.

He further stated: “It is well known to everyone that it is no longer permitted by the NCC to sell registered sim cards of any network. An investigation is in progress with a view to arresting other suspects before being charged to court for prosecution.”

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

1 day ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
‎
Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
‎
The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
‎
‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
‎
‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
‎
He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
‎

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

3 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.