Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nasarawa State Command, have arrested a dreaded armed robbery and kidnap kingpin, Mohammed Bammi, popularly known as Zomo, of Yelwa village, who has been terrorising communities in Doma Local Government Area and its environs.

 

The command’s spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Sunday. He disclosed that the suspect narrowly escaped capture last month when some of his gang members were arrested, but luck finally ran out on him during a clearance operation at Doka forest.

 

“During the operation, eagle-eyed operatives spotted him. In a desperate bid to evade capture, he pulled a knife to attack the officers but was swiftly overpowered and arrested,” the statement said.

 

Upon interrogation, Zomo led detectives to his gang’s hideout at Alagye village, Doma, where the following items were recovered:

 

One pump-action rifle (Breech No. P331551)

 

One locally made AK-47 rifle with magazine

 

Two live ammunition and five cartridges

 

One knife and a rope

 

Two Tecno mobile phones

 

A pair of NSCDC uniforms

 

 

In a separate sting operation, operatives attached to the Awe Area Command, acting on credible intelligence, stormed Gidan Taku village, Wuse Chiefdom, Awe LGA, where they arrested five suspected members of a notorious 10-man kidnapping syndicate.

 

The suspects were identified as:

 

1. Michael Ato

 

 

2. Richard Ato

 

 

3. Alom Bernard

 

 

4. Hangior Ato

 

 

5. Jacob Hunde a.k.a. Okocha

 

 

 

According to police investigations, the syndicate was responsible for the recent abduction of Blessing John of Gidan Makaranta village, Wuse. Further findings also revealed that in April 2024, the same gang kidnapped her husband, John Ada Kuje, before releasing him after ransom payment.

 

Items recovered from the syndicate include two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and one live ammunition.

 

The Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, commended the operatives for their gallantry and professionalism, urging them to sustain the momentum until kidnappers and armed robbers are completely flushed out of the state.

 

All suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command for further investigation and prosecution.