Police apprehend notorious kidnapper, armed robbers in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested six suspects, including a notorious kidnapper and five armed robbers, in two separate operations across the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mansir Hassan, in a statement on Thursday, said the suspects were apprehended following intelligence-led operations by the ‘Operation Fushi Kada’ operatives.

He said in the first operation, five armed robbers were arrested along the Karji/Sabon Tasha axis on September 10, after a fierce gun battle.

He noted that one of the suspects, Christopher Bobai, alias “Baban Dodo,” was neutralised during the exchange with operatives.

According to the police spokesman, the arrested suspects, who have confessed to the crime, are Gideon Martins, 32, Joy Gideon, 29, Joshua Gama, 45, Umar Usman, 24, and Bashir Yusuf, 21.

He said operatives recovered one English-made pistol, one locally-made pistol, a Nigerian Army camouflage uniform, three cutlasses, four pairs of jungle boots, six SIM cards, two sets of black uniforms, and two jungle caps.

Hassan added that in a separate operation on September 11, police operatives apprehended a suspected kidnapper, Saidu Inusa, alias “Haske,” 29, a resident of Burinta, Bishini Ward in Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

According to him, the suspect confessed to his involvement in multiple kidnapping operations across the state, and an AK-47 rifle was recovered from him.

He quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Audu Dabigi, to have praised the efforts of his men and emphasised the importance of community involvement in ensuring public safety.

He added that the Commissioner of Police emphasised the importance of community involvement in ensuring public safety and assured citizens that the police command will maintain its current momentum in clamping down on armed robbers and bandits in the state.

The statement read, “On the 10th of September 2024, the Operation Fushi Kada operatives led by the Commander, acting on technical and credible intelligence intercepted a notorious armed robbery syndicate along the Karji/Sabon Tasha axis of Kaduna State.

“During the operation, the armed robbers engaged the police in a fierce gun battle. However, due to the superior firepower of the Police, Five suspects were arrested, while one suspect, Christopher Bobai, also known as “Baban Dodo,” sustained serious injuries while attempting to flee. He was confirmed dead by a medical Doctor.

“The suspects arrested include: one Gideon Martins (Male), aged 32, one Joy Gideon (Female), aged 29, one Joshua Gama (Male), aged 45, one Umar Usman (Male), aged 24, one Bashir Yusuf (Male), aged 21.”

“All the suspects confessed to the crime and are cooperating with the police to apprehend other gang members still at large.”

It added, “The following exhibits were recovered from the suspects: One English-made pistol, One locally-made pistol, Nigerian Army camouflage uniform, Three cutlasses, Four pairs of jungle boots, Six SIM cards, Two sets of black uniforms, Two jungle caps.

“In the same vein, On 11th September 2024, Acting on credible intelligence, about the movement of a suspected kidnapper, Police operatives swiftly mobilized and successfully apprehended one Saidu Inusa, also known as “Haske”, a 29-year-old resident of Burinta, Bishini Ward in Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

“During interrogation, he confessed to his involvement in multiple kidnapping operations across the State. An AK-47 rifle was recovered from the suspect.

“The Commissioner of Police CP AUDU ALI DABIGI psc, emphasised the importance of community involvement in ensuring public safety. He also assured citizens that the police command will maintain its current momentum in the ongoing efforts to clamp down on armed robbers and bandits in the state.”