The Gombe State Police Command has arrested seven suspected members of a kidnap syndicate, neutralised two others, and recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) during coordinated operations across several local government areas of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that the operation was conducted in collaboration with the Gombe State Professional Hunters Association as part of intensified intelligence-driven efforts to dismantle kidnapping and cattle-rustling networks.
According to the statement, the breakthrough followed a November 23, 2025 intelligence tip from a Good Samaritan linking one Abdullahi Ibrahim, 40, of Tilde Village in Funakaye LGA, to criminal activities. Ibrahim was arrested and allegedly confessed to involvement in multiple kidnappings and cattle-rustling operations.
“He also revealed the identities of several accomplices believed to be part of a wider kidnapping syndicate operating across Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, and Adamawa States,” the command said.
Acting on the intelligence, operatives attached to Operation Hattara, supported by professional hunters, raided several hideouts on November 28, engaging the suspects in a gun duel. Six additional members of the gang were arrested during the operation.
The suspects were identified as Usman Mohammed (30), Hussain Idris (37), Adamu Tukur (37), Yau Abdullahi (25), Ali Umar (18), Hassan Usman (40), and the earlier-arrested Abdullahi Ibrahim (40).
“All suspects confessed during preliminary interviews to participating in several kidnapping operations and receiving an estimated ₦150,000,000 ransom from their victims,” Abdullahi stated.
Further intelligence led operatives to the Gadam bush area, where the syndicate allegedly concealed a firearm used in previous kidnappings. As officers approached the location, they came under fire from unidentified armed members of the gang.
“A brief exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the neutralisation of two suspected kidnappers and the recovery of one GPMG and eight rounds of live ammunition,” the statement said. The bodies of the neutralised suspects have been deposited at the Specialist Hospital Mortuary, Gombe.
The police also linked the gang to a January 15, 2025 kidnapping in Barderi Village, Akko LGA, where a victim was abducted for two weeks until a ₦15 million ransom was paid. “The victim later identified the suspects in our custody, specifically suspects No. 1, 2, and 5, as those responsible,” the command added, noting that other victims had similarly identified the suspects.
Abdullahi said investigations were ongoing and assured residents of continued security operations across the state. “The Gombe State Police Command reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the state,” he said, urging residents to provide timely, credible information to aid policing efforts.
