The Gombe State Police Command on Friday announced the arrest of seven suspected members of a kidnap syndicate, the neutralisation of two others, and the recovery of a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) during coordinated operations.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi on Friday, the Command said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Gombe State Professional Hunters Association as part of intensified intelligence-led efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in kidnapping and cattle rustling.
According to the statement, the breakthrough began on November 23, 2025, at about 4:00 a.m., when “credible intelligence was received from a Good Samaritan implicating one Abdullahi Ibrahim, 40, of Tilde Village, Funakaye LGA, in harbouring criminals suspected to be involved in kidnapping and cattle rustling.” Ibrahim was immediately arrested, and investigators began interrogating him.
Abdullahi said the suspect later confessed to his involvement in cattle rustling and multiple kidnapping operations across the 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,” the statement added.
Acting on intelligence obtained during the interrogation, operatives attached to Operation Hattara, assisted by professional hunters, stormed several identified criminal hideouts on November 28, engaging the suspects in a gun duel. Six additional members of the gang were arrested.
Those arrested include Usman Mohammed (30), Hussain Idris (37), Adamu Tukur (37), Yau Abdullahi (25), Ali Umar (18), Hassan Usman (40), and the earlier arrested Abdullahi Ibrahim (40).
