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We buy military uniforms for N20,000 to operate — Kidnap gang

Published

3 years ago

June 11, 2022

Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba

•Exposes identity of arms suppliers; explains why victims were raped, killed

Operatives of the Force Intelligence Bureau – Intelligence Response Team,FIB-IRT have arrested 14 self confessed members of a notorious kidnap gang that have been on its wanted list over series of kidnappings, armed robberies and cattle rustling in the northern region of Nigeria.

The susepcts among who were their arms suppliers, revealed how they raped female victims , with a threat to come back for them if they opened up on the rape.

They also revealed how they bought Military uniforms used during operation, from thier contact.

Luck ran against members of the gang following the arrest of one of them,Abdullahi Abubakar a.k.a Abdul Lawyer while he was having a meeting with an alleged informant on a planned kidnap operation in Plateau state.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that Abubakar, a herder was once arrested and detained at Bokkos Divisional Police headquarters for the offence of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, cattle rustling and kidnapping. But unknown to the policemen, one of his gang members posed as a prominent person, to effect his release on bail

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During interrogation Abubakar, revealed that he was introduced into kidnapping by one Iliyasu Saidu, a.k.a. Yellow and Sky brother. He gave identities of other members of his gang as : Iliyasu Saidu (a.k.a. Yellow), Badamosi Ardo Yakubu, Sky Bokkos, Zaki Bokkos, Yakubu Joshua Bokkos and Annas Iliya, all of them living and operating from Bokkos, Plateau State.

He said: “I have participated in an uncountable number of armed robberies in all the villages around Bokkos, Mangu and others in Jos.

“We have six AK47 rifles, and some of us used to appear in Nigeria Army uniforms which we bought from one IK in Daffo village for N20,000 each. We also have a tailor that sewed the uniform for us in Bokkos.

“We have someone who supplies arms for us. He is Alli Ibrahim. I bought one AK47 rifle from him for N370,000. For the ammunition, a 30- round was sold by one Yakubu Joshua for N30,000, sometimes it could be N160,000, depending on one’s power of bargain”.

Kidnapped victims

Abubakar, who stated that he had participated in three different kidnap operations, highlighted some of them.

He said “We kidnapped one Challa in Bokkos. That work was given to us by Yakubu Joshua. We took the victim to Mangar Forest where he spent one day with a ransom of N700,000 paid before he was released. I got N75,000 as my share.”

“The second operation was at the Plateau State University ,Bokkos, where we kidnapped three female students. We took them to Mangar forest and demanded N300,000 ransom.

Six of us: Annas Ilya, Iliyasu Saidu (a.k.a. Yellow), Badamasi Ardo Yakubu, Sky Bokkos , Zaki Bokkos and myself participated in that operation. They spent a day with us. We raped them inside the bush before releasing them and gave them stern warning not to make mention of the rape, otherwise we would come the second time and do worse . I got N50,000 as my share.

“The third operation was the kidnapping of a Challa man at Ampak village in Mangar Local Government Area of Plateau State. We took him to Tamushu Forest where he also spent one day with us after collecting N300,000 ransom. Yakubu Joshua gave us the job and six of us participated.

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When the victim refused to follow us, Sky shot him dead in the compound with an AK47. Thereafter, we took his elder brother and held him captive for two days until N300,000 ransom was paid for his release. I also got N50,000, as my share”.

Robberies

Apart from kidnappings, he said, “ I also participated in armed robbery operations with Yellow, Badamosi, Sky, Zaki and Joshua, along Mbot road, where we robbed people of their cash, phones and other valuables. I got a share of N10,000 from that operation.

“ In another operation, we broke into one shop at Mangar . When the guard fired some shots to scare us, Badamosi shot him dead.

“ Again, we ambushed some herders and robbed three cows, took them to Jos Town , where we sold them to one Biran man living at Kara Jos, for N200,000 each.”

Recovered arms, ammunition Police sources hinted that an Indian-made AK47 rifle with 23 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspect.

Other arms and ammunition recovered from his gang included: Two locally made AK47 rifles with 10 rounds of live ammunition; one locally-made SMG Gun with 33 rounds of 9mm live ammunition; two locally-made G3 gun and two locally-made Barreta pistols.

In addition were 33 rounds of live ammunition for the AK47 rifle and 33 rounds of 9mm live ammunition for the locally made SMG.

Police sources hinted that “the suspects have been giving us useful information about their criminal activities and tactics . They would be charged to court soon.”

VANGUARD

metro

Man beats brother’s wife to death in Jigawa

Published

16 minutes ago

April 25, 2025

Trends Admin

Man beats brother’s wife to death in Jigawa

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested one Buhari Sule (25) of Gunka village in Jahun LGA of the state for allegedly killing his younger brother’s wife.

The suspect, said to be mentally unstable, is accused of attacking and severely beating his younger brother’s wife, as well as inflicting serious injuries on his neighbour’s daughter with a pestle.

SP Lawan Shiisu Adam, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, said the incident occurred on April 23 at about 1730hrs, prompting an immediate response from the DPO in the area, which necessitated the dispatchment of a patrol team to the scene.

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He said upon arriving at the scene, the victims were rushed to General Hospital, Jahun, where one of them died while on admission, and the other still receiving treatment.

He said, “The corpse was identified as that of Ummi Saleh (20) and the injured one as Hauwa Alkassim (6) both from the same address. The corpse was released to the relatives for burial.

“The suspect was arrested and is currently in police custody while investigations continue.’’

Adam said preliminary findings indicate that the suspect might be experiencing mental health issues but said a thorough medical evaluation will be performed to determine his mental state.

Man beats brother’s wife to death in Jigawa

metro

Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister

Published

23 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Trends Admin

FCT Police Command Spokesperson, SP Adeh Josephine

Police dispel rumour of sexual assault victim as Seyi Tinubu’s sister

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has clarified that a sexual assault case involving Ebunoluwa Fatoyinbo is not connected to the family of President Bola Tinubu.

This clarification comes after widespread social media reports claimed Fatoyinbo is the sister of Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son. According to the reports, Oscar Ilochi allegedly assaulted Fatoyinbo while she was exercising alone in a gym basement, prompting an investigation that includes reviewing the facility’s CCTV footage.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Josephine Adeh, the FCT police spokesperson, confirmed that the command has launched an investigation based on a formal complaint filed by Fatoyinbo. However, she emphasised that the police have not established any familial link between Fatoyinbo and the Tinubu family.

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metro

Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash

Published

23 hours ago

April 24, 2025

Trends Admin

Governor Mohammed Bago

Niger Gov Bago makes U-turn on dreadlocks ban after backlash

Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has reversed his controversial directive ordering the arrest of individuals with dreadlocks, following widespread backlash from the public and civil rights advocates.

Bago had earlier instructed security agencies to arrest anyone seen with dreadlocks across the state, linking the hairstyle to rising cult-related activities and insecurity, particularly in Minna, the state capital.

“Rascality in Minna: anybody that you find with a dreadlock, arrest him and barb his hair. From this moment, it’s fire for fire. Any attempt to harass any security officer is an attempt to harass the government of Niger State,” Bago had declared during a public address.

In addition to the dreadlocks directive, Bago also announced a 12-hour daily restriction on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, banning their operations from 6pm to 6am, as part of efforts to end violent crimes.

He also threatened to demolish any house found to be housing criminals or drug dealers, emphasising that his administration will “apply maximum force to restore order.”

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The governor’s early statements, notably the one targeting people with dreadlocks, provoked widespread condemnation on social media and from members of the public, who accused him of encouraging discrimination and lacking a thorough understanding of effective crime-fighting techniques.

In response to the anger, Bago reaffirmed his position on Wednesday at a ceremony in Minna, declaring the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport as an alternative to Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

“Yesterday, we read a riot act on hooliganism, and people misconstrued our words for people who have dreadlocks. We don’t have a problem with dreadlocks, but we have a problem with the cult here with dreadlocks.

So, if you have dreadlocks and you have business, please come to Niger State,” Bago said.

The state governor went on to describe the backlash as “media propaganda” and reiterated that the enforcement efforts are targeted specifically at criminal groups.

He said, “We are only driving that cult that is becoming a menace in Niger State. Thank you.”

Bago insisted that law-abiding residents are not at risk, claiming that the crackdown is primarily directed at criminal elements who utilize “cult” insignia, such as dreadlocks, to conceal their operations and elude law enforcement.