By TWO suspected kidnappers have been killed and seven others arrested as the Gombe State Police Command intensifies its ongoing offensive against criminal networks across the state.
The latest breakthrough, announced by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Buhari Abdullahi, followed intelligence-led operations targeting a kidnapping and cattle-rustling syndicate believed to be operating across Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, and Adamawa States.
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The Command said the suspects were rounded up after the arrest of Abdullahi Ibrahim, 40, of Tilde Village in Funakaye Local Government Area.
He was apprehended on 23 November 2025 following information from a Good Samaritan alleging his involvement in harbouring criminals.
During questioning, he reportedly confessed to multiple kidnapping operations and exposed the identities of accomplices within the wider network. Acting on this intelligence, operatives attached to Operation Hattara, supported by the Gombe State Professional Hunters Association, raided several criminal hideouts and apprehended six additional suspects.
Those arrested are: Usman Mohd, 30, Hussain Idris, 37, Adamu Tukur, 37, Yau Abdullahi, 25, Ali Umar, 18, Hassan Usman, 40, and Abdullahi Ibrahim, 40.
Police disclosed that all seven suspects admitted to taking part in numerous kidnapping incidents and collectively receiving around N150 million in ransom payments.
During a follow-up operation in the Gadam bush, officers reportedly came under sudden attack from unidentified armed men.
A brief gun battle ensued, resulting in the deaths of two suspected kidnappers.
One General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and eight rounds of live ammunition were recovered at the scene.
The bodies of the deceased suspects have been deposited at the Specialist Hospital Mortuary, Gombe.
The Command also linked the arrested gang to a 15 January 2025 abduction in Barderi Village, Akko Local Government Area, where a victim was held for two weeks before paying N15 million to regain his freedom.
The victim and several others have since identified members of the arrested group as their abductors.
DSP Abdullahi said all suspects are undergoing further investigation and will be prosecuted.
He reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to protect lives and property across the state and called on residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
Further updates, he added, will be communicated in due course.
