The gallant troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have successfully apprehended 12 suspected kidnappers.
Captain Olubodunde Oni, Acting Assistant Director of 6 Brigade Army Public Relations, stated that the troops recovered 14 motorcycles, a locally fabricated pistol, and two bags of Indian hemp in Taraba State.
The arrest followed a distress call from residents of Chachanji village regarding the abduction of two individuals by a group of about 10 armed men on motorcycles on 7 November 2024.
The statement added that in a subsequent follow-up operation, based on credible intelligence, troops on 9 November 2024 arrested 12 suspects and seized 14 motorcycles at a local drinking joint in Mbhakyir village, near Agu Centre.
“During an intensive investigation, the arrested suspects admitted to being part of the kidnapping operation and identified their leader as Veior John Gata, a notorious terrorist who has been on the wanted list of security agencies for orchestrating criminal activities in parts of southern Taraba and Benue states,” it said.
The suspects further confessed that Veior was with them at Agu Centre on 5 November 2024 before the killing of two locals and the abduction of two individuals on 6 and 7 November, respectively, in the Chachanji general area.
The statement added, “While commending the efforts of residents for their cooperation and encouraging them to continue providing timely and credible information to facilitate security operations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all communities within its area of operation.
“Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies.”