During an operation in the state’s Bagudo Local Government Area, the Kebbi State Police Command apprehended a suspected kidnapping kingpin named Jiji Mujugu and nabbed another gang member.
SP Bashir Usman, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to him, police officers, working with other security agencies, acted on credible intelligence and detained Bube Tukur of Yarma Village in Suru Local Government Area, who lives in Kasuwar Daji, Bagudo.
According to Usman, Tukur belonged to an eight-member group led by Mujugu and linked to the abduction of a resident, Alhaji Abu Geza.
He further stated that one locally made weapon and a live ammunition were seized from the suspect.
According to the police spokeswoman, Tukur then led security personnel to the gang leader’s hideout.
Usman stated that Mujugu opened fire on security officers and sought to flee when operatives arrived at the scene.
He claimed that the operatives responded and neutralised the suspect during the exchange of gunfire, recovering another locally made weapon from him.
The police also found the abducted victim, Alhaji Abu Geza, uninjured in the hideout.
According to the statement, the gang has terrorized various localities, including Geza, Adawa, Matsinkai, Sharabi, Illela, Suru, Dakin Gari, and Bagudo, as well as the neighboring districts.
The command stated that attempts were underway to apprehend the gang’s other fugitive members.
Usman said that the Commissioner of Police thanked locals for their assistance and advised the public to continue providing timely and genuine information to security services.