Nigerian Army troops have detained 12 suspected kidnappers in Taraba State following reports of an abduction in the area.
The suspects were reportedly apprehended after a distress call from residents of Chachanji village about the kidnapping of two individuals by an armed group of about 10 men on motorcycles on November 7.
According to a statement posted by the army on X.com on Tuesday, troops recovered 14 motorcycles, two bags of Indian hemp, and a locally made pistol during the operation.
“Upon making contact with the armed group, the superior firepower of the troops forced the kidnappers to withdraw deep into the bush, leaving behind their locally fabricated pistol and two bags of Indian hemp,” the statement revealed. “The troops’ thorough exploitation of the area prevented further criminal activity and disrupted the kidnappers’ operations.”
In a follow-up operation, troops tracked down and arrested 12 suspects, seizing 14 motorcycles at a local drinking joint in Mbhakyir village, near Agu Centre, on November 9.
During the investigation, the suspects reportedly confessed to being involved in the kidnapping and identified their leader as Veior John Gata, a notorious figure on the wanted list of security agencies for orchestrating crimes in parts of southern Taraba and Benue states.
