The Nigerian Army has apprehended Suleiman Ahmad, a notorious kidnapper accused of abducting 20 individuals and extorting over N70 million in ransom within Taraba State.  

Ahmad was arrested over the weekend in Bomanda village, Lau Local Government Area, by troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).  

In a statement by the Brigade’s Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Oni Olubodunde, the suspect reportedly confessed to his criminal activities during preliminary investigations. Acting on his confession, the troops conducted a follow-up operation on November 15, 2024, recovering an AK-47 rifle hidden at a concealed location.  

The operation also led to the arrest of one of Ahmad’s alleged accomplices, Hussaini, identified as a suspected gunrunner. Hussaini was taken into custody at his residence in the Mayo Dassa area of Lau Local Government.  

Captain Olubodunde reiterated the military’s commitment to using all necessary resources to dismantle criminal networks and protect residents from violent crimes such as kidnapping.  

"We will continue to deploy all necessary resources to dismantle criminal networks and protect law-abiding residents from the scourge of kidnapping and other forms of violent crime,” the statement affirmed.  

The operation marks a significant success in the ongoing efforts of security forces to address the menace of kidnapping and violent crime in Taraba State and the broader Middle Belt region.