Suspected female kidnappers’ informant nabbed in Taraba

Troops of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have apprehended a suspected female kidnappers’ informant, in Taraba State.

The announcement, which was contained in a statement made available to journalists in the early hours of Sunday in Jalingo, the state capital, said the female suspect was arrested on 6 September, 2024 by the troops in Sondi village of Wukari local government council.

Signed by the Acting Assistant Director, 6 Brigade Army Public Relations, Captain Oni Olubodunde, the suspect who was identified as Miss Markus Grace, was confirmed by the soldiers 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,” the statement read.

Items announced to have been recovered during the operation that led to the arrest included an AK-47 rifle, and a vehicle.

The troops, who vowed to flush out from the state those making life unbearable for the good people of Taraba, accused Grace of aiding kidnappers and criminal elements in the area.

In another separate operation, the troops also announced to have intercepted a Toyota Yaris vehicle with registration Number, Taraba KLD 652 XA, that was carrying an AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine and two Identity Cards of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW.

“During a separate operation in the late hours on 5 September, 2024, troops of the Brigade while on routine stop and search patrol in Bantaje town of Wukari council, 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 AK-47 magazine and 2 Identity Cards of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Mutum Biyu,” he said.

Identifying the bearers of the Identity cards, as Isa Ibrahim and Mallam Isa Garin Tukura, investigation, according to the statement, 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 operation, the Commander, 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their professionalism and swift action.

He urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely information that could help prevent and combat criminal activities.