Security

 Army troops arrest 91 suspects for kidnapping UNIJOS students

rmed Nigerian army officers (Photo by Patrick Meinhardt / AFP)

The Nigerian Army confirmed on Thursday that its troops have arrested 91 criminal suspects in connection with the kidnapping of some students from the University of Jos (UNIJOS).

The Army in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) said the suspects were also arrested in connection with the attack on Takania Village, farm destruction, armed robbery, drug peddling and cattle rustling amongst others.

It added that troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) on Operation HAKORIN DAMISA IV achieved all these during several operations launched from September 25 to October 4, 2023.

“The notorious kidnappers, Bashiru Musa and Idris Abdulrahman who have been on wanted list of OPSH were arrested at Mista Ali village in Bassa Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State,” the statement read in part.

“The suspects during interrogation narrated that they were involved in the kidnapping of 7 students of University of Jos (UNIJOS) in July 2023.”

Items recovered from the suspects include one AK 47 rifle loaded with 12 rounds of 7.62mm special.The gallant troops, acting on credible information, also arrested Mr Goma Abubakar and Jibril Abass in connection to the attack on Takania village in Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State, where six persons were murdered in cold blood.

The troops also arrested two notorious armed robbers/kidnappers Nasiru Ahmed and Isah Mamuda, at Kok village in Barkin Ladi LGA while Manu Sale and Amir Shaba, a notorious robbery syndicate operating along road Barkin Ladi – Mangu in Barkin LGA were also arrested alongside an armed robbery gang leader, Mr Shaibu Abubakar at NTV village in Barkin Ladi LGA.

Similarly, troops arrested two suspected kidnappers, Abdullahi Abubakar and Musa Yakubu a.k.a Yellow at Amper checkpoint in Kanam LGA of Plateau State while trying to collect kidnapp ransom.

Items recovered from the suspects include 1 cutlass, knife, 2 mobile phones and local charms.

While on mobile operations, troops at Bokkos LGA arrested two suspected cattle rustlers, Abdullahi Ibrahim and Muhammadu Ori at Gwandu village in Bokkos LGA.

The troops also foiled a cattle rustling incident at Maiyanga village in Bassa LGA, rescued 145 cows and handed them over to the owners.

During the operation, troops recovered 3 rifles, 12 rounds of 7.62mm special, 9 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and 3 axes.

Additionally, 57 cows were detained for grazing on farmlands at Rim village in Riyom LGA.