Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed for rescue operations in Taraba State have arrested 12 suspected kidnappers.
The suspects were reportedly apprehended after residents of Chachanji village made a distress call about the abduction of two individuals by a group of approximately 10 armed men on motorcycles on November 7.
In a statement posted on X.com on Tuesday, the army confirmed the recovery of 14 motorcycles, two bags of Indian hemp, and a locally made pistol during the operation.
The statement partly read, “Upon making contact with the armed group, the superior firepower of the troops forced the kidnappers to withdraw deep into the bush, leaving behind their locally fabricated pistol and two bags of Indian hemp.
“The troops’ thorough exploitation of the area prevented further criminal activity and disrupted the kidnappers’ operations.”
The statement, however, revealed that in a follow-up operation, the troops arrested the 12 suspects and seized 14 motorcycles at a local drinking joint in Mbhakyir village, close to Agu Centre, on 9 November.
“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,” the statement added.
