Troops on a rescue mission successfully detained 12 alleged kidnappers, following a call for help from residents of Chachanji village, in Taraba State.
The rescue mission was prompted on November 7 after locals reported that a group of about 10 armed men on motorcycles had abducted two villagers.
The Nigerian Army shared the development on its X handle on Tuesday, stating that troops intercepted the kidnappers, who were forced to flee further into the bush upon encountering the military’s superior firepower.
As the suspects retreated, they abandoned critical items, including a locally crafted pistol and two bags of Indian hemp.
The army’s statement, emphasizing the success of the operation, noted, “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.”
Through a detailed sweep of the surrounding area, the troops prevented any further attempts by the gang to pursue their criminal agenda.
Days later, in a secondary phase of the operation, the army located and arrested 12 individuals linked to the kidnapping.
The arrests took place at a local bar in Mbhakyir village, near Agu Centre, on November 9, where troops also seized 14 motorcycles believed to have been used in the abduction scheme.
According to the army’s report, the captured suspects, under intense investigation, confessed their involvement in the crime.
They revealed that their leader, Veior John Gata, is a notorious terrorist known for criminal operations across parts of southern Taraba and Benue states and has long been wanted by security agencies.
The statement clarified, “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.”
This operation underscores the army’s ongoing commitment to combatting kidnapping and criminal activities in the region, with efforts to maintain security and deter future crimes through rigorous ground patrols and community collaboration.
