The Gombe State Police Command has arrested a suspected cross-border kidnapping syndicate and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition used for criminal activities.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed that the operation was executed by officers of Operation Hattara under the leadership of CSP Ali Madaki.
Abdullahi explained that on October 4, 2025, around 5:00 p.m., police operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested a 30-year-old suspect, Adamu Adamu, originally from Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State but residing at Jauro Jatau Quarters in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
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He said the suspect was implicated in multiple kidnapping incidents spanning Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon. During interrogation, Adamu admitted to being part of a larger gang that has been terrorizing communities along the Nigeria–Cameroon border.
“The suspect confessed to the involvement of his syndicate in several kidnapping operations and disclosed that their arms cache was concealed in a mountainous area near Wuro Biriji Village in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State,” Abdullahi said.
According to him, a swift follow-up raid was carried out by the police on October 5, 2025, at the identified location. The operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, eighty live rounds of ammunition, seven magazines, a chain with padlocks, a knife, and four small bags.
“The suspect is currently in custody, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplices and dismantle the entire kidnapping network,” Abdullahi noted. “This successful operation reflects our intelligence-led approach to combating crime and ensuring that Gombe remains one of the safest states in the country.”
In a related incident, Abdullahi announced that three other suspects had been arrested for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and attempted culpable homicide following a complaint from a commercial motorcyclist, Nasiru Ahmad, of Yelenguruza Quarters, Gombe.
According to the police, Ahmad reported that on September 26, 2025, at about 2:30 p.m., three unidentified men deceived him into taking them to the Kundulum area under the guise of hiring his motorcycle. Upon reaching the destination, they restrained him, administered an intoxicating substance, and left him unconscious before making away with his Bajaj Boxer motorcycle valued at ₦800,000.
Following prompt police action, detectives tracked down and arrested the suspects — Ahmad Umar and Abubakar Sanusi of Tukulma area, and Abubakar Ya’u, also known as ABK, aged 26, of Malam Inna Quarters, Gombe. Abdullahi said the trio had confessed to the crime, and two motorcycles were recovered during the investigation.
“The suspects will be charged in court upon completion of investigations,” he said.
Commending the officers for their diligence and courage, the Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, Bello Yahaya, reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining peace and security in the state.
“We will not relent in our resolve to rid Gombe State of criminal elements. The safety and peace of residents remain our utmost priority,” the Commissioner stated.
Abdullahi also appealed to residents to continue assisting the police with credible intelligence that could help sustain law and order across the state.
