From Ben Adaji, Jalingo
Troops of 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army / Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, OPWS, have apprehended 12 suspected kidnappers and recovered 14 motorcycles, a locally fabricated pistol, and two bags of Indian hemp in Taraba State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Captain Olubodunde Oni, in Jalingo, yesterday.
“Following a distress call from residents of Chanchanji village regarding the abduction of two individuals by a group of 10 armed men on motorcycles on November 7, troops launched a rapid response operation aimed at rescuing the victims and intercepting the kidnappers.
“Upon making contact with the armed group, the superior firepower of the troops forced them to withdraw deep into the bush, leaving behind their locally fabricated pistol and two bags of Indian hemp”.
According to Oni, the troops thorough exploitation of the area prevented further criminal activity and disrupted the kidnappers operations.
“In a subsequent follow-up operation which was based on credible intelligence, troops on November 9, arrested 12 suspects and seized 14 motorcycles at a local drinking joint in Mbhakyir village close to Agu Center.
“During intensive investigation, troops arrested the suspects who upon interrogation. 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 State”.
The suspects, according to the statement, confessed that Veior was with them at Agu center on November 5 before the killing of two locals and abduction of two individuals on November 6 and 7, respectively at Chanchanji village in Takum Local Government.
“They added that Veior was displeased with the locals in Chanchanji, hence he ensured that the market was closed down by putting fear and terror in the minds of buyers and sellers”.
It commended residents for their cooperation, encouraging them to continue to provide timely and credible information to facilitate security operations.
Captain Oni stressed that 6 Brigade remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all communities within its area of operation.
He advised members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies in their area.
