The Taraba State Police Command has reported the arrest of a suspected kidnapper, Aliyu Muhammed, found in possession of N8.55 million and seven mobile phones. Commissioner of Police Joseph Eribo disclosed this information on Wednesday in Jalingo, stating that the arrest occurred at a checkpoint in Yaggai on the Jalingo-Yola bypass, carried out by mobile policemen.
The 35-year-old suspect, a native of Mubi, was apprehended on Tuesday while driving a Toyota car with registration number YLA 321 ZY. Commissioner Eribo further explained that the suspect failed to provide a satisfactory account of himself during the interrogation. A subsequent search of his vehicle uncovered N8,555,000 in cash, seven mobile phones, N3,000 MTN recharge cards, and seven amulets.
“As the police began searching the vehicle, two other suspects jumped out and fled into the bush. The apprehended suspect attempted to bribe the PMF team, offering them the entire sum of money to let him go, but the team refused and arrested him,” Eribo stated. Further investigation revealed an additional N4 million in the suspect’s bank account.
Commissioner Eribo also announced the arrest of five other suspected kidnappers by the command’s anti-kidnapping unit and local vigilante members. The arrested individuals were identified as Habibu Ibrahim (alias Rilwanu), Abba Mohammed (aka Gandari), Aliyassa’u Umar, Abdulaziz Adamu (aka Dan-Mallam), and Danlami Ibrahim (alias Teacher), all from Jauro Ganah New CBN area of Jalingo. The authorities recovered three AK47 rifles, each with five rounds of live ammunition, from the suspects.