The police command in Bauchi has neutralised three and arrested 12 suspected kidnappers and cattle rustlers terrorising the Burra Community in Ningi Local Government area (LGA) of Bauchi State.

Ahmed Wakil, the command spokesperson, stated this in a statement on Thursday in Bauchi.

He said the command dismantled kidnappers, bandits and cattle rustlers, rescued 10 kidnapped victims, arrested 12 suspects, neutralised three suspects, and recovered weapons, cash and animals.

He noted that the command’s unrelenting and aggressive counter-kidnapping strategies had led to successful fights against kidnapping and other heinous crimes.

“During this organised operation, the command was able to dismantle kidnappers and cattle rustlers’ syndicates,” he said.

According to Mr Wakil, on July 2, 2023, the command successfully arrested six suspected gangs of kidnappers and their informants, including four males and two females terrorising Burra village and Ningi LGA.

“The arrest of the suspects led to the dismantling of the kidnappers’ hideout in Burra Forest,” he said.

Mr Wakil said during the operation, “many” kidnappers were neutralised, and several escaped with bullet wounds.

“Our operatives rescued five kidnapped victims from the kidnappers’ den with their three motorcycles and a woman and her child from Kurmi village. These have been reunited with their respective families,” the spokesperson said.

He added that the operation continues to yield immense positive results, which led to the rescue of another five kidnapped victims from different kidnapper’s enclaves at Burra Forest, Ningi LGA,

“Two suspected kidnappers were also arrested while 70 cows, 60 sheep and goats, suspected to be rustled, were also recovered.”

The spokesperson also said the police detectives with the Nigerian Army and other Quasi security outfits arrested four members of the kidnappers’ group stationed within the Kongoro community to observe the movement of people.

He said the suspects, during interrogation, could not give a satisfactory account of themselves. The investigation is ongoing.

He reiterated that the command would not shy away from its constitutional mandate of protecting the lives and properties of hard-working citizens through robust synergy with all relevant stakeholders in the state.

(NAN)