By Aliyu Bala Gerengi, Gombe
The Gombe State Police Command says it has recorded major operational breakthroughs in its ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping, banditry, illicit drug trafficking and other criminal activities across the state.
The Command said the breakthrough followed a joint clearance operation conducted on September 8, 2026, by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, vigilante groups and hunters.
The operation, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Dukku, was carried out around suspected criminal hideouts in Kowagel, Dukku Local Government Area, and parts of Bojude in Kwami Local Government Area.
During the operation, the team arrested a 30-year-old suspected notorious kidnapper, Manu Alhaji Sani, from Wawa Village in Funakaye Local Government Area.
According to the Police, a preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect confessed to participating in several kidnapping operations across Dukku, Kwami and Funakaye Local Government Areas, alongside other members of his syndicate who are currently at large.
Following his arrest and the intensified clearance operations, the suspected kidnappers were forced to abandon three abducted victims, who were subsequently rescued.
The victims are 44-year-old Hauwa Alhaji Sani, 16-year-old Aishatu Alhaji Sani, and two-year-old Umaru Alhaji Sani, all residents of Jonde Village in Dukku Local Government Area.
The operation also led to the recovery of a Honda motorcycle with registration number BBB 29 UT and three keypad mobile phones.
In a separate operation on the same day, operatives of the Safer Highway Patrol, in collaboration with Operation Hattara, intercepted a blue Peugeot 406 vehicle along the Liji-Biu Road following credible intelligence.
The vehicle, with registration number YDB 48 FL, was searched, leading to the arrest of a 37-year-old man, Mohammed Abdullahi, also known as ‘Babangida’, of Bomala Quarters, Gombe.
Police said the search resulted in the recovery of 2,500 sachets of 100-milligram Tramadol capsules.
The suspect and the recovered exhibits are currently in police custody, while investigation continues.
The Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, CP Umar Ahmed Chuso, commended the security personnel for their collaboration, vigilance, courage and swift response to credible intelligence.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led and proactive operations against kidnapping, banditry, illicit drug trafficking and other forms of criminality across the state.
The Police Command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police formation or through its emergency contact numbers: 0815 056 7771 and 0903 643 5359.
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