48 rifles recovered as police apprehend Abuja train attack mastermind

The Nigeria Police, on Thursday,  announced the arrest of the alleged mastermind of the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna in which some passengers were killed while scores were abducted in March 2022.

The mastermind was identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, also known by the ominous moniker of Mandi.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who made this known in Kaduna, also disclosed that the suspect previously participated in the abduction of students from Greenfield University in 2021.

Adejobi also added that  48 AK-47 rifles were seized during Mandi’s arrest and efforts were underway to identify his sponsors and supplier of weapons.

He said, “On 12th January 2024, police operatives attached to the anti-kidnapping unit of the Kaduna State Criminal Investigation Department, based on credible information, swooped on and arrested one Ibrahim Abdullahi aka Mandi, at the Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover by Rido Junction.

“The suspect confessed to being the leader of a kidnap syndicate terrorising the Kaduna-Abuja highway, ranked among other criminals like Dogo Gide and Bello Turji.

“He had participated in various kidnapping incidents, including the kidnapping incident at Green Field University, and he partook in almost all the kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.”

Meanwhile, the police spokesman also said no fewer than 81 armed robbery suspects, 40 kidnap suspects, 73 murder/homicide suspects, 36 rape suspects, 22 suspects involved in cult-related crimes, and 28 suspects engaged in other criminal activities were arrested from January to date with particular focus on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

According to him, the strategic initiative being implemented by the force along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway was responsible for the success stories so far  recorded

Adejobi added that operatives successfully recovered 16 firearms of various types, along with 226 ammunition of diverse calibres.

“Additionally, our operations have led to the retrieval of 28 stolen vehicles, over 200 weapons, and 600 bags of fertilizers.

“A total of N3,350,000 only, previously paid as ransom to kidnappers, has been successfully recovered, while our swift and coordinated efforts have resulted in the safe rescue of 158 kidnap victims, all of whom have been reunited with their families unharmed. These achievements include,” he said.

The police spokesman further said the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, remained steadfast in its resolve to uphold the rule of law, ensure the safety and security of all citizens as well as combat criminal activities in the country.

The According reports that some bloodthirsty terrorists had attacked the Abuja-Kaduna AK9 train on March 28, and abducted some passengers.

The terrorists had planted explosive devices along the rail track and when the train approached the point, the device exploded, causing the train to derail, leading to the death of eight passengers.

A day after the attack, another passenger who suffered from a gunshot wound died, making it nine, the total number of those killed in that attack.

From the manifest received by the Nigerian Railway Corporation, 398 passengers bought tickets but 362 were validated as having bought tickets.