From WILLIE ATTAH, Gombe
The Gombe State Police Command, under its special operation, Operation Hattara, has arrested a key member of a cross-border kidnap syndicate operating between Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the arrest and exhibiting items recovered from the suspect.
He identified the suspect as Adamu Adamu, aged 30, an indigene of Song Local Government Area, Adamawa State.
According to Abdullahi, the suspect was arrested on October 4, 2025, at about 1700hrs by operatives of Operation Hattara led by CSP Ali Madaki at Jauro Jatau Quarters, Akko LGA, following credible intelligence.
Upon interrogation, it was discovered that Adamu was involved in a series of kidnappings for ransom within Nigeria and Cameroon.
He also confessed to being part of a larger syndicate responsible for several other kidnapping operations.
The suspect further revealed the location of the group’s arms cache in a mountainous area near Wuro Biriji Village, Song LGA, Adamawa State.
A follow-up operation conducted on October 5, 2025, by the Command’s operatives led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles (breach numbers 05316 and 3553); 80 rounds of live ammunition; seven AK-47 magazines; and a chain, padlocks, a knife and four small bags.
“The suspect is currently in custody while efforts are ongoing to apprehend his fleeing syndicate members and dismantle the entire kidnapping network,” the PPRO stated, assuring that further developments would be communicated to the public in due course.