Operation Puff Adder: 18 More Notorious Kidnappers Arrested, 22 AK 47 Riffles, Ammunition Recovered 

BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – Following the arrest of the “spiritual father” of kidnappers and armed bandits operating in the Northern part of the country, Mallam Salisu Abubakar, Police detectives attached to Operation Puff Adder have arrested 18 additional notorious kidnappers and armed robbers at different times and places across the country.

The arrests was achieved through a series of detailed, intensive and sustained investigative operations which also led to the recovery of 22 AK 47 riffles, five locally fabricated pistols and a cache of live ammunition from the bandits.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba stated that the combined team of crack detectives from IRT, TIU and other Operatives, using actionable intelligence obtained from the spiritual god father of the kidnappers and other multiple sources, tactically “smoked out” the kidnappers and armed bandits from their hide-outs in Birnin Gwari, Rijana, Katari, Mai Daro and Buruku Forests in Kaduna State before they were eventually arrested at different locations and times in Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Kogi states respectively.

Mba also said that Police investigations have positively linked the arrested suspects to some of the most heinous crimes committed in kaduna States and its environs in recent times.

According to Mba; “Specifically for example, Abubakar Ibrahim alias Dan Habu, aged 37 years and a native of Kabam in Igabi local Government Area of Kaduna state, who was arrested on the 15th April 2019 at Rigachikun in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, confessed to the Kidnapping and gruesome murder of HRH King Agom Adara of Kajuru LGA and many other kidnappings and murders.

“Similarly, the arrested gang members were also indicted by investigations for the kidnap and murder of Mallam Yakubu Usman, 40 years old male of Jere LGA, Kaduna State and many other crimes.”

The Force spokesman said that all the 18 male suspects are currently in Police custody, assisting in the on-going investigations.

The suspects include; “Abubakar Ibrahim Alias Dan Habu, 37 years native of Igabi local Government Area of Kaduna State; Johnson Okafor 44 years, native of Anambra State and resident of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State; Shaibu Iliyasu Alias Smally, 20 years native of Rijiana, Kaduna Road Abuja; Ishaik Dabo Alias Keke 38 years native of Maraban Jos, Igabi LGA of Kaduna State and Mohammed Nasiru 25 years, native of Manunfashi LGA of Katsina State.”

Others are; “Aminu Haruna 25 years, native of Galadimawa Village in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State; Shafiu Alhaji Gudau 25 years, native of Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State; Auwalu  Hamisu 24 years, native of Tashan Fulani village in Manunfashi LGA of Katsina State; Ado Ya’u, 35 years native Of Rigoji Village in Kafur LGA of Katsina State; Ibrahim Yusuf, 30years, native of Kujama Village, Kaduna State; Ibrahim Audu, 22years, native of Kujama Village Kaduna State; Salisu Ajah, 50years native of Galadimawa Village Giwa LGA Kaduna State and Nasiru Umaru, 25 years, native of Manumfashi LGA Katsina State.

The suspects also include; “Magaji Abubakar, 27years, native of Kujama Village Kaduna State; Salisu Ali, 18yrs native of Kujama Village, Kaduna State; Lawal Shadari, 22yrs native of Rijiana Village, Kaduna State; Junaidu Lawal, 18yrs native of Rijiana Village, Kaduna State and Usman Musa, 43yrs native of Rijiana Village Kaduna State.”

DCP Mba explained that although, the suspects belong to different loose, fairly independent but vicious criminal gangs, their operations are centrally coordinated by their spiritual god father, Mallam Salisu Abubakar.

He further said that efforts are currently being intensified to arrest other gang members still at large, and recover all weapons in the gangs’ armory.

While commending the officers and men for this and many other feats, the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, re-assured the nation that Nigeria Police working in concert with other security agencies will not rest on its oars until kidnappings and other violent crimes are subdued, and sanity restored to the land.