Troops from the 93 Battalion, operating under the 6th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, successfully apprehended a suspected female kidnapper in Taraba State as she attempted to collect ransom money.
Lieutenant Oni Olubodunde, spokesperson for the Brigade, reported that in addition to capturing the suspected female kidnapper, the troops also apprehended a notorious gunrunner involved in trafficking arms and ammunition. The individual was allegedly supplying these weapons to criminals not only within Taraba State but also in other regions of the country.
It was learned that the female suspect is married to a notorious criminal who holds the position of second-in-command to the late Hana Terwase.
The spokesperson emphasized that the troops acted on credible intelligence regarding the activities of the arms dealer, identified as Joshua Dutse Idah, aged 45.
He elaborated, “The troops had trailed the suspect, leading to his arrest in Ibbi town of Ibbi Local Government Area of the state while he was driving to Kaduna State in a blue Volkswagen Sharon vehicle with registration number Rivers SKN-390AA.”
Olubodunde further disclosed that during interrogation, Dutse confessed to his intention of traveling to Katsina State to procure AK-47 rifles, for which he had already received a partial payment of N300,000. Additionally, following a comprehensive search of the vehicle, the troops discovered 1 PK machine gun, 399 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, and 3 AK-47 rifle magazines.
He revealed that a female suspected kidnapper identified as Janet Igohia, aged 31, was apprehended after collecting the sum of N1.5 million, which was intended as ransom payment for a kidnapped victim. The exchange took place at the Chanchangi area in Takum Local Government Area of the state.
He said that Igohia disclosed she was married to Voryor Gata, a notorious criminal who previously held the position of second-in-command to the late Gana Terwase.
He mentioned that she is currently married to the leader of a violent extremist group in southern Taraba and had previously been married to high-profile criminals, including late Terkibi Gemaga, also known as Mopol, a notorious kidnapper who was killed by troops five years ago.
She also disclosed that she was married to late Gana Terwase, another notorious criminal who was killed during a joint special force operation three years ago.
Lieutenant Olubodunde stated that troops stationed in Mararaba Baissa community of Donga LGA apprehended two additional suspected gunrunners believed to be involved in extra-judicial killings and cattle rustling. During the operation, the troops seized the sum of N600,000 from the suspects.
He identified the suspects as Alhaji Adamu Damisa, aged 40, and Usman Isah, aged 44.