The Gombe State Police Command has achieved a significant breakthrough in its fight against crime, dismantling a dangerous inter-state syndicate involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, and cattle rustling. In a coordinated, intelligence-led operation, police operatives supported by professional hunters engaged the criminals, resulting in two fatalities and the arrest of seven suspects.
Intelligence-Led Raid and Arrests
The operation was set in motion on November 23, 2025, following a tip from a concerned citizen. The information implicated Abdullahi Ibrahim, a 40-year-old from Tilde Village in Funakaye Local Government Area, in harboring criminals. He was promptly arrested, and his subsequent interrogation proved crucial.
By November 28, Ibrahim confessed to his role in cattle rustling and multiple kidnapping operations within Gombe State. More importantly, he revealed the identities of accomplices who were part of a broader network operating across Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, and Adamawa States.
Acting on this intelligence, personnel from Operation Hattara and the Gombe State Professional Hunters Association stormed identified hideouts. After a gun duel, they successfully arrested six additional gang members.
Deadly Confrontation and Recovery of Heavy Weapon
Further leads from the arrested suspects directed operatives to the Gadam bush area, where a firearm used in their operations was hidden. As the team approached the location, they were ambushed by unidentified armed syndicate members.
A fierce exchange of gunfire followed, leading to the neutralization of two suspected kidnappers. From the scene, the security forces recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and eight rounds of live ammunition. The bodies of the deceased suspects were deposited at the Specialist Hospital Mortuary in Gombe.
Confessions and Link to Past Crimes
During preliminary interviews, all arrested suspects confessed to participating in several kidnapping operations. They admitted to having collectively received an estimated N150,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) in ransom payments from their victims.
The police statement linked the syndicate to a specific incident on January 15, 2025, in Barderi Village, Akko LGA. In that attack, suspects conspired to rob and kidnap a victim, holding him captive for two weeks until a ransom of N15,000,000 was paid. The victim later identified some of the now-arrested suspects during an identification parade. Other victims have also identified the group as their abductors.
The full list of arrested suspects includes: Usman Mohd (30), Hussain Idris (37), Adamu Tukur, Yau Abdullahi (25), Ali Umar (18), Hassan Usman (40), and Abdullahi Ibrahim (40).
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed that all suspects and recovered exhibits are undergoing further discreet investigation and profiling, after which they will be prosecuted. The Command reiterated its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and commended the public for their cooperation, urging continued provision of timely and credible information.
