The Taraba State Police Command has apprehended thirteen individuals who are suspected of being bandits and kidnappers.
The individuals have been on the police’s watchlist for causing fear and distress among the residents of Jalingo, Yorro, Lau, and Zing local government areas in the state.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, revealed this information while presenting the suspects and the evidence against them at the police headquarters in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State. The arrest was made in response to public outcry regarding the criminal activities of these individuals, which the police have deemed to be of great concern.
The police stated that the bandits take advantage of the nearby mountains as a hiding place, making it difficult to rescue victims or launch an attack without causing unintended harm. As a result, the police have decided to deploy all available resources to address this growing issue.
Thirteen bandits were apprehended in various locations across the state as a result of a joint effort by the police, other security agencies, vigilante officers, and professional hunters. In addition, a bribe of over N8 million in cash was rejected, and five AK-47 rifles and five rounds of live ammunition were seized. Furthermore, five kidnapping victims were successfully rescued.
Moreover, three individuals involved in electricity vandalism were also arrested. They had infiltrated and damaged the electricity transformer at the police headquarters, as well as the transformer belonging to the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) in the Lau Local Government Area of the state.
During the interrogation of the bandits and kidnappers, it was revealed that they often collaborate with the electricity vandals. This partnership allows them to easily target communities experiencing power outages, particularly at night, enabling them to carry out kidnappings or murders.
Additionally, the police apprehended a suspect involved in an armed robbery. The suspect had stolen a vehicle from a victim, but the police successfully recovered it.
Some of the bandits accused of planning the kidnapping of a traditional ruler, a pastor, an imam, and a kidnapper who received a ransom of over N8 million have admitted to their involvement in the crime.
The police have stated that all the suspects will be taken to court according to the state’s anti-kidnapping law, ensuring that justice is served.
The police commissioner also expressed gratitude to the state Governor, Agbu Kefas, for his unwavering support of security agencies in establishing a peaceful, safe, secure, and economically prosperous state.
