The Kebbi State Police Command has neutralised a suspected kidnap kingpin, identified as Jiji Mujugu, and arrested another gang member during an operation in Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to him, police operatives, in collaboration with other security agencies, acted on credible intelligence and arrested Bube Tukur of Yarma Village in Suru Local Government Area, who resides in Kasuwar Daji, Bagudo.
Usman said investigations revealed that Tukur belonged to an eight-member gang allegedly led by Mujugu and linked to the abduction of a resident, Alhaji Abu Geza.
He added that one locally fabricated pistol and a live cartridge were recovered from the suspect.
According to the police spokesman, Tukur subsequently led security operatives to the gang leader’s hideout.
Usman said Mujugu opened fire on security personnel and attempted to escape when operatives arrived at the location.
He said the operatives responded and neutralised the suspect during the exchange of gunfire, recovering another locally fabricated pistol from him.
The police also rescued the abducted victim, Alhaji Abu Geza, unharmed from the hideout.
According to the statement, the gang had been terrorising several communities, including Geza, Adawa, Matsinkai, Sharabi, Illela, Suru, Dakin Gari and Bagudo, as well as surrounding areas.
The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
Usman added that the Commissioner of Police commended residents for their cooperation and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
