CP Adesina clamps down on kidnappers, cultists and other criminals on the plateau

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Less than two months of taking charge on the Plateau, the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina has paraded a massive haul of suspected kidnappers and cultists who dared to torment residents in the state.

Adesina in a recent news conference said that there would be no breathing space for kidnappers and cultists who have been taking advantage of the hospitality of the residents to wreck havoc.

He announced that about 118 arrests of cult related cases were reported during the period under review in which 37 of them were paraded while 33 other suspects were arrested for various other related cases.

The Commissioner revealed that the big harvest of suspected kidnappers and cultists became possible because apart from the series of stakeholders meetings he has held with residents from the troubled Local Government Areas in the State, as a remedy for peaceful co-existence in the state, he has emplaced intensive patrol, raiding of criminal hideouts and visibility policing which has become the hallmark of his policing strategy employed in recording these recent achievements.

Arrest of Suspects for the offense of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping:

“Information received from our informants on 21/05/2024 revealed that four persons suspected to be kidnappers were sighted between the border of Kuka village, Shendam LGA and Sarkin Kudu Village of Taraba State. “Upon receipt of the report, the DPO Shendam division immediately led a team of armed Policemen to the area.

“Consequently, the following suspects were arrested; Abdullahi Adamu, 23 years of Yobe State, Musa Alhaji, 25 years of Sarkin village, Taraba State, Safiyanu Abubakar, 20 years of Bale Sarkin Kudu, Taraba State. Exhibits recovered from the suspects include; cash sums of Three Million, Fifteen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty Naira (N3,015,850) only.

Repelled kidnapping Attempt /Neutralization of suspects

“On 03/06/2024 at about 05:30 pm, the Plateau State Command received information at the Daffo Police Outpost revealing that on 02/06/2024 at about 10 Pm, some hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers invaded the house of one Franklin Osita, male of Fangha Daffo District. On receipt of the report, I ordered the DPO Pankshin Division to immediately mobilize men and rush to the scene.

“Consequently, two of the hoodlums were neutralized due to our superior firepower, while others escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds. Exhibits recovered from the scene include; one Locally fabricated revolver gun loaded with Four 7.6mm ammunition, Two handsets, one Digger and one knife. The Corpses were photographed by our detectives and deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, (JUTH). Manhunt for the other culprits in progress.

Arrests of Suspects for Attempted Kidnapping

“On 29/05/2024 at about 11:30 am, one Yusuf Musa, male of Angwan Kayarda, Gindiri District reported at the Gindiri Divisional Headquarters that on 28/05/2024 at about 11pm while his sons were in the bush with his cows, unknown gunmen invaded their camp, beat them up mercilessly and snatched their phone, machetes and knives. He also revealed that the suspects also gave his son a phone number to pass same to him to enable him call and pay them off in order to avoid being kidnapped.

“Upon receipt of the report, I immediately ordered the phone number to be tracked; consequently, one Ibrahim Audu was arrested. Upon conducting our interview, he confessed to the crime and mentioned his co-conspirator as one Manu Adamu, 40 years of Angwan Madaki, Langai district both male. The case is still under investigation and will be charged to Court upon conclusion of our investigation.”

Arrest of child trafficking suspect

“On the 14/06/2024 at about 3 pm, the Plateau State Police Command arrested one Peace John, female, 20 years old of behind redeemed church Bukuru Low cost in connection to a case of Human Trafficking.

“The victims whose rescue became viral on social media were said to have been rescued from the Republic of Ghana and repatriated back to Nigeria; they revealed upon interrogation, that it was the said Peace John who specializes in trafficking persons to Ghana for sexual exploitation that lured them to Ghana. The suspect has been arrested, investigation is ongoing at the State CID and will be charged to court upon conclusion.”

Arrest of Cult Syndicate and Recovery of Exhibits

“Based on credible intelligence gathered, I ordered the raiding of an apartment suspected to be a hideout of a cult syndicate. As a result, the Command Eagle-Eye Patrol Unit (EEPU) arrested the following suspects; one Obinna Eze, male, 27 years, of Uzuwani Enugu State, an identified ex-Convict, Drug dealer and the hitman of the Aye Confraternity, Jenifer Charles, 25 years, of Nasarawa State, Milcah Joseph, 27 years of Jos South LGA, all in possession of substances suspected to be Indian Hemp, other Narcotic substances and Charms.

“Based on information revealed by the suspects, several other hideouts around Farin Gada were raided, where one Chilebo Moses, male, 19 years of Benue State, said to be the Second in Command (Chief Priest) of the Aye confraternity was arrested in company of one Somto Chukwu, 35 years, Chinedu Ede, 50 years, both male and one Elizabeth Kabiru, 42 years, female who are suspected facilitators of the cult activities. The case is still under investigation.

Foiled Kidnapping

“On 28/06/2024 at about 09:32 pm, a distressed call was received at the Rantya Police Station, reporting that a gunshot sound was heard around Harris Gas Plant, Rantya. Upon receipt of the report, I immediately ordered the DPO Rantya to mobilize men and rush to the scene. On reaching the scene, it was discovered that Three armed men suspected to be kidnappers ambushed one Jimoh Abdulmajid, 35 years of same address, a business man and shot at his vehicle, thereby destroying two of his tyres and whisked him away into the bush.

“Our team of Policemen immediately engaged the suspected kidnappers in a hot chase. As a result, the hoodlums abandoned the victim and escaped into the bush. The victim was however rescued unhurt. I have ordered intensive patrol and surveillance in the area, with a view to arresting the fleeing suspects.

Arrest of Armed robbery/Kidnapping suspects

“Consequent upon credible intelligence received, one Mohammed Baya, 48 years old of Fier district was arrested in connection with a series of criminal activities within Pankshin and Mangu Local Government Areas and their environs, including a notable case of Armed Robbery/Murder of one Nasara Isa, male of Piyantul on 17/03/2024 and two other kidnap cases in Jeneret district. Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime. Our investigation is ongoing and the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion.”

CP Adesina clamps down on kidnappers, cultists and other criminals on the plateau