Military hands over 7 kidnap suspects to Kaduna govt

Troops of Defence headquarters Operation Thunder Strike have handed over seven persons arrested during their raid on suspected kidnappers’ hideout around Kuyeri Mountain, Kagarko local government, to Kaduna state government.

The persons suspected to be kidnappers were arrested five days ago according to the Commander Sector II of the operation, Flt. Lt. Kabir Ladan, but upon investigation, they were discovered to be innocent and thus were handed over to Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

According to the Commander, “They were arrested about five days ago. They were suspected to be kidnappers. However, in the process of our investigations, we discovered that, the gentlemen seem to be innocent. As such, we deem it fit to hand them over to the state government for further proceedings.”

The suspects are: Umar Usman, Adamu Muhammadu, Abubakar Saleh, Abdullahi Abubakar, Sale Jibrin, Abubakar Usman and Alhassan Abubakar

Speaking to journalists after receiving the suspects, the Commissioner commended the military for their gallant efforts and thoroughness in their operations.

According to him, “We have all heard from Flt. Lt. Kabir Ladan about the clearance operation carried out by troops in late December 2019 at Kuyeri Mountain in Kagarko local government Area. The operation was conducted on the basis that the Kuyeri Mountain is suspected to be a hideout of bandits who engage in nefarious activities like kidnapping, cattle rustling, killing of innocent citizens and so on.

“Investigations revealed that in the course of the military operation, the criminals escaped. Subsequently the troops picked up eight persons for interrogation on the banditry in the general area, one of whom was released on health grounds.

“However, no weapon was found in their custody and none of them was found to have any criminal record. It is in the light of this fact that the military hereby handed over the citizens to Kaduna state government, for onward delivery to Kagarko LGA and Jere Chiefdom.

“The Kaduna state government is grateful to the military, the police, DSS, the Civil Defence Corps, and other agencies for their active role in the internal security management of the state. Because of their professionalism, commitment, sacrifice and patriotism, citizens were able to have peaceful and safe Christmas and New Year celebrations. We commend them for their outstanding performance and selfless service.

“The government will continue to partner with security agencies towards the peace and security of Kaduna state and will be alive to responsibilities to the citizens. Government will also continue to appeal to citizens to be law abiding and avoid resorting to self-help. All parties in a conflict must recourse grievances to the government and security agencies as the only path to administration of justice and amicable resolutions.

“We should all view criminality for what it really is and discourage ethnic and religious stereotyping. The sooner we come together to fight banditry without prejudice, the sooner we will be rid of the scourge. It is criminality, and it knows no delineations.

“Similarly, we encourage the traditional and religious institutions, individuals and members of the general public to assist security agencies with information and extend unlimited cooperation for the overall security of the state.

“Finally, we call on members of the general public to take advantage of the State’s Operations Room on these phone lines: 09034000060 and 08170189999. It is open 24-hours a day to receive reports on all threats to peace, law and order for immediate security response.”

The seven persons were later handed over to the Overseer of Jere Chiefdom, Alhaji Abdullahi Daniya.

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