From Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Police Command says it has arrested 12 suspects linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, theft, and unlawful possession of firearms across the state, parading nine of them before journalists on Thursday.
The state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel O. Adesina, disclosed this at the command’s headquarters in Jos, noting that the arrests were part of efforts to curb rising crime, especially during the “ember months.”
Adesina said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested a 20-year-old suspected kidnapper, Auwal Mohammed of Bauchi State, on August 3 around Mazah community, Jos North. Items recovered from him included a cutlass, torchlight, loaves of bread, custard sachets, cigarettes, and a phone belonging to one of their victims.
“The suspect confessed to being part of a syndicate operating between Plateau and Bauchi borders. He was out to buy supplies for his gang while awaiting ransom,” Adesina said.
Similarly, three suspects — Sunusi Abdullahi (22), Suleiman Saidu (30), and Abbas Yusuf (26) — were arrested in Mista-Ali, Bassa LGA, on September 16 following intelligence reports. They confessed to belonging to a kidnap gang terrorising the area.
In another incident, police rescued a kidnap victim, Ebuka, after intercepting a Sienna vehicle at Old Airport Roundabout, Jos, on September 17. Four suspects — Joshua Ponzing Nathaniel (25), Zairuma Sani (23), Abas Sani (24), and Nanfa Goni (23) — were arrested with a locally fabricated pistol.
The command also arrested two suspects, Inusa Yahaya (25) and Abdulrahman Suleiman (19), with a revolver rifle in Bauchi State during a joint operation on September 24. They reportedly confessed to the crime.
Adesina further revealed that operatives recovered a stolen motorcycle worth ₦1.2m, rustled cows valued at ₦5m, and multiple locally fabricated firearms in separate operations in Namu, Qua’an Pan LGA, and Laranto Division.
He warned that criminal elements often exploit the ember months to unleash attacks, stressing that all Divisional Police Officers and tactical teams had been directed to intensify surveillance operations.
“We are determined to ensure that Plateau remains safe for citizens and visitors during this period,” the CP said.