KIDNAP ATTEMPT FOILED:: NSCDC Rescues Customs Officer In Nasarswa, Nabs 70 Suspects In Edo

In adherence to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Commandant General’s marching order, the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, in an aggressive gun duel against a notorious kidnap gang, has thwarted the kidnapping of an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, his wife, and others at the Bukan-Ari area along Kurikyo Road in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, upon receiving an intelligence report concerning incessant kidnapping activities in Lafia metropolis and its environs, ordered the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad to launch an aggressive onslaught against the criminal elements terrorizing the area.

Speaking with the NSCDC correspondence team at the National Headquarters in Abuja, the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Boss, Commandant AS Dandaura JP, said, “In a 5-hour intelligence-based coordinated operation, his men alongside the Nasarawa State Commandant foiled a kidnap attempt on 2 residents of the Bukan-Ari area along Kurikyo Road in the Lafia metropolis.”

“Let me reiterate that the Commandant General of the NSCDC has zero tolerance for all acts of economic sabotage, vandalism, and threats against lives and property of the civil populace, and we are committed to fighting head-on any group or syndicate terrorizing the peace of innocent citizens.”

“The success made in this operation hinged on the use of modern technology in gathering intelligence and other credible intelligence available about the notorious gang terrorizing the peace of Lafia metropolis and some parts of the state. They met their waterloo while in an attempt to kidnap a Customs officer; the wife and one other person (name withheld)”.

“The CG’s Special Intelligence Squad engaged the kidnappers and subdued them due to superior and intense firing power which resulted into the arrest of 2 kidnappers, the other 2 were neutralized while 1 escaped with severe injuries from gunshots and made away with an Ak-47 Rifle”.

“The following items were recovered as exhibits at the scene of the crime: one (1) AK-47 assault rifle, 1 magazine, 40 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, 5 different types of mobile phones, and 2 knives. a cash sum of ₦7,500 and some substances suspected to be charms

The suspects arrested are Hassan Ibrahim, aged 23 years, male, from Azare Local Government of Bauchi State, and Ibrahim Hudu, aged 30 years. Fulani, Male, while one driver, Mata, and one Yahaya Abubakar were the 2 killed during the exchange of gunfire.

The CG’s SIS Commandant further noted that the suspects arrested are currently cooperating in the ongoing investigation and have confessed to their different levels of involvement in the series of kidnappings carried out earlier, noting that efforts are on top gear to apprehend the fleeing suspect and other members of the syndicate.

He said the NSCDC will not relent in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of people and their properties in Nasarawa State and across the nation, urging the public to report strange movements in their vicinities to the nearest security agencies.

 

Recall that the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps’ Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad has arrested 70 suspects for their various involvements in kidnapping, rape, logistics supplies, and criminal disposition in the Okpella area of the Esouko East Local Government Area of Edo State.

In an exclusive interview with the Commandant of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Commandant AS Dandaura Jp., he narrated the ordeal of unraveling the mysterious force behind the kidnapping of innocent people by criminal elements who disguised themselves as illegal miners and charcoal vendors in the Okpella area of Edo State.

In his words, “Following the directive of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni. OFR, on an aggressive onslaught against unscrupulous elements terrorizing the peace of Edo State and those culpable for the massacre of 8 personnel attached to BUA Cement Company last month.”

“The CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, led by Commandant Dandaura, collaborated with the men of the Nigerian Army and the General Manager of BUA International Cement, Mr. Richard Gidado, to launch an aggressive onslaught against the crime perpetrators.”

“During the clearance operation, the team uncovered and dismantled some criminal hideouts used for housing kidnapped victims, though some of the kidnappers maneuvered outside the area, giving room for the rescuing of victims and one Mrs. Agbe Matar, who had been in captivity for over 7 days.”

The CG’s SIS Commandant hinted that the rescued victims lamented their encounter as Mrs Agbe Martha narrated how she was kidnapped alongside her sister while working on their farmland in the Ichoke area of the Itsukwi community in Etsako East LGA of Edo State”.

According to her, “Over 5 armed men stormed their rice plantation looking like herders and held her and her sister-in-law hostage while her husband, Paschal Agbe, escaped.”

Mrs Agbe relayed that upon their arrival at the kidnappers’ den, they were subjected to severe torture and malhandling by the kidnappers, who later demanded a 30 million Naira ransom before they could be released.

As the CG’s SIS Commandant and his men reunited Mrs Martha Agbe and other victims with their families, the paramount ruler, His Royal Highness Usman Suleiman, the Ogei-Ochi III of Itsukwi Kingdom, with so much excitement lauded the pragmatic leadership of the NSCDC Commandant General for bringing hope and peace back to the area.

In his response, Commandant Dandaura noted that collaborative efforts in dismantling the kidnap syndicate and their criminal hideouts in the area underscore the CG’s commitment to combating crime and criminalities as well as ensuring the protection of lives and property of citizens in Edo state and, by extension, the nation at large, noting that further investigation and diligent prosecution would be carried out in due course.