Troops from the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, apprehended a notorious kidnapper, Suleiman Ahmad, on Sunday.
Ahmad is accused of extorting more than ₦70 million in ransom from his victims in the Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The arrest was the result of a well-coordinated sting operation executed on November 12, 2024, across key villages—Maraban Abare, Bomanda, and Karamuke.
This strategic operation was part of an ongoing effort to clamp down on the alarming rise in kidnapping activities within the region.
In a statement from the acting Director of Army Public Relations, Capt. Oni Olubodunde, initial investigations revealed that Ahmad, a resident of Bomanda village, admitted to being responsible for the abduction of around 20 individuals in Lau Local Government Area.
During his confession, Ahmad also revealed that he was in possession of an AK-47 rifle, which he used during his kidnapping operations.
Further operations carried out on November 15 led to the discovery of the AK-47 rifle, which had been hidden in a secret location.
Additionally, one of Ahmad’s associates, Hussaini, a suspected gunrunner, was arrested at his residence in Mayo Dassa within the local government area.
In the statement, Olubodunde emphasized the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal networks and safeguarding the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
“We will continue to deploy all necessary resources to protect citizens from the scourge of kidnapping and violent crimes,” he added, reinforcing the Army’s dedication to ensuring peace and security in the region.
