Army nabs suspected kidnapper’s informant, recovers weapon, vehicle

Abdullateef Fowewe

The troops of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended a suspected Kidnapper’s informant and recovered an AK-47 rifle and a vehicle in two separate operations in Taraba State.

This was revealed in a remark by the security analyst and counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama on Sunday.

According to Makama, after the recent abduction of a resident of the Vesee community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, troops of 6 Brigade in Sondi village of Wukari LGA of Taraba State conducted an intelligence-led operation on Friday, September 6, 2024, and arrested a suspected kidnapper’s informant named Miss Markus Grace for reportedly aiding kidnappers and criminal elements in the area.

She is also according to a report confirmed to be a girlfriend to a notorious kidnapper named Chen who was reported to be terrorising the general area. The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further investigation to reveal the extent of her involvement in various criminal enterprises.

Makama wrote, “During a separate operation in the late hours on 5 September 2024, troops while on routine stop and search patrol in Bantaje town of Wukari LGA, flagged down a suspicious Blue Toyota Yaris vehicle with Registration Number, Taraba KLD 652 XA coming from Wukari and heading towards Jalingo.

“Upon being stopped, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into nearby bushes. A thorough search of the abandoned vehicle led to discovery of an AK-47 rifle, an AK47 magazine and 2 Identity Cards of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Mutum Biyu Branch of Gassol LGA of Taraba State bearing Isa Ibrahim and Mallam Isa Garin Tukura. Investigation is still in progress to trace and arrest the suspect as well as to ascertain the involvement of individuals with the identity cards.”

Reacting to the successful operations, the Commander 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa commended the troops for their professionalism and swift action, encouraging residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely information that could help prevent and combat criminal activities.

He further assured the public that the 6 Brigade remains committed to its mission of maintaining peace and security and reiterates its zero-tolerance stance against all forms of criminality within Taraba State and its neighbourhood.