The Gombe State Police Command on Tuesday announced a major breakthrough in its sustained fight against kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes across the state.
At a press briefing, the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said operatives of Operation Hattara, led by CSP Ali Madaki, successfully nabbed a cross-border kidnapping syndicate and recovered arms and ammunition used for criminal operations.
According to Abdullahi, on October 4, 2025, at about 5:00 p.m., the operatives, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Adamu Adamu, a 30-year-old native of Song Local Government Area in Adamawa State, who currently resides at Jauro Jatau Quarters, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
He explained that the suspect was linked to a series of kidnappings for ransom carried out within Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon. During interrogation, Adamu confessed to being part of a larger syndicate that had been operating across the borders of both countries.
“The suspect confessed to the involvement of his syndicate in several kidnapping operations and disclosed that their arms cache was concealed in a mountainous area near Wuro Biriji Village in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State,” Abdullahi said.
He noted that a follow-up operation conducted by the police on October 5, 2025, at the identified location led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, eighty rounds of live ammunition, seven magazines, a chain with padlocks, a knife, and four small bags.
“The suspect is currently in custody, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplices and dismantle the entire kidnapping network,” the police spokesman stated. “This successful operation reflects our intelligence-led approach to combating crime and ensuring that Gombe remains one of the safest states in the country.”
In another development, Abdullahi said the command also arrested three suspects for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and attempted culpable homicide following a complaint lodged by one Nasiru Ahmad, a commercial motorcyclist from Yelenguruza Quarters, Gombe.
According to the police, Ahmad reported that on September 26, 2025, at about 2:30 p.m., three unknown persons conspired and lured him to the Kundulum area under the pretext of hiring his motorcycle. Upon arrival, the suspects tied him up, drugged him with an intoxicating substance, and abandoned him in a secluded area before fleeing with his Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, valued at ₦800,000.
The prompt response of detectives led to the arrest of the suspects, identified as Ahmad Umar and Abubakar Sanusi, both of Tukulma area, and Abubakar Ya’u, alias ABK, aged 26, of Malam Inna Quarters, Gombe. The suspects, Abdullahi said, have confessed to the crime, and two motorcycles were recovered as exhibits.
“The suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigations,” he added.
The Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, Bello Yahaya, commended the operatives for their professionalism and bravery, assuring residents that the police will sustain their efforts to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
“We will not relent in our resolve to rid Gombe State of criminal elements. The safety and peace of residents remain our utmost priority,” the Commissioner stated.
Abdullahi urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with credible information to help maintain law and order across the state.
