The Gombe State Police Command has busted an inter-state syndicate involved in kidnapping, armed robbery and cattle rustling.
The success was achieved when operatives of the command, in collaboration with professional hunters, stormed criminal hideouts and engaged the syndicate in a gun duel, neutralized two and arrested seven suspects.
The spokesperson of the command, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, December 5, 2025 while providing an update on the ongoing intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling kidnapping syndicates and criminal networks operating across Gombe State.
According to the PPRO, one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and eight rounds of live ammunition were recovered during the coordinated operation.
The police spokesman further disclosed that the suspects confessed to have received an estimated N150,000,000 ransom from their victims.
“On 23rd November 2025, at about 0400hrs, credible intelligence was received from a Good Samaritan implicating one Abdullahi Ibrahim, male, 40 years, of Tilde Village, Funakaye LGA, in harbouring criminals suspected to be involved in kidnapping and cattle rustling. The suspect was promptly arrested, and preliminary investigation commenced,” the statement read.
“Following continued interrogation, on 28th November 2025 at about 1920hrs, the suspect confessed to involvement in cattle rustling and multiple kidnapping operations within Gombe State.
“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.
“Acting on intelligence gathered during the investigation, Police operatives attached to Operation Hattara, in collaboration with the Gombe State Professional Hunters Association, stormed identified criminal hideouts, engaging the suspects in a gun duel and successfully arresting six (6) additional members of the gang.”
The suspects arrested are Usman Mohd, male, 30, Hussain Idris, male, 37, Adamu Tukur, male, Yau Abdullahi, male, 25, Ali Umar, male, 18, Hassan Usman, male, 40 and Abdullahi Ibrahim, male, 40 years, of Tilde Village, Funakaye LGA.
“All suspects confessed during preliminary interviews to participating in several kidnapping operations and receiving an estimated N150,000,000 ransom from their victims,” the statement read.
“Further intelligence from the arrested suspects led operatives to a location in the Gadam bush area, where a firearm allegedly used in kidnapping operations had been concealed.
“As operatives approached the location, they came under sudden attack from unidentified armed syndicate members.
“A brief exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in neutralization of two (2) suspected kidnappers, recovery of one (1) General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and recovery of eight rounds of live ammunition.
“The bodies of the neutralized suspects have been deposited at the Specialist Hospital Mortuary, Gombe.
“Recall that on 15/01/2025 at about 0045hrs, a case of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping was recorded at Barderi Village in Akko LGA, where the suspects kidnapped a victim and held him captive for two weeks until he paid a ransom of fifteen million naira (N15,000,000).
“The victim (name withheld) later identified the suspects in our custody after an identification parade as those responsible for his abduction (specifically suspects No. 1, 2, and 5. Several other victims have also identified the syndicate as their abductors.
“All arrested suspects and recovered exhibits are undergoing further discreet investigation, profiling, and will be prosecuted accordingly.
“The Gombe State Police Command reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
“The Command appreciates the cooperation of the public and urges residents to continue providing timely and credible information to support policing efforts. Further updates will be communicated in due course.”
