Gombe: Police, hunters kill two suspected kidnappers, recover arms

The Gombe State Police Command, in collaboration with the Gombe State Professional Hunters Association, has neutralised two suspected kidnappers, arrested seven others, and recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) along with rounds of ammunition during coordinated operations across the state.

The breakthrough followed a series of raids targeting criminal hideouts linked to an inter-state kidnapping syndicate operating across Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe and Adamawa states.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said the operation began after police received actionable intelligence.

“On 23rd November 2025, at about 0400hrs, credible intelligence was received from a Good Samaritan implicating one Abdullahi Ibrahim, 40 years, of Tilde Village, Funakaye LGA, in harbouring criminals suspected to be involved in kidnapping and cattle rustling.

The suspect was promptly arrested, and a preliminary investigation commenced,” he stated.

Abdullahi said continued interrogation yielded major leads.

“On 28th November 2025, at about 1920hrs, the suspect confessed involvement in cattle rustling and multiple kidnapping operations within Gombe State,” he added.

The suspect also named several accomplices believed to be part of a wider network. Acting on these revelations, operatives attached to Operation Hattara, working with professional hunters, raided multiple hideouts.

The operation led to the arrest of six additional suspects, Usman Mohd, 30, Hussain Idris, 37, Adamu Tukur, 37, Yau Abdullahi, 25, Ali Umar, 18, Hassan Usman, 40
as well as the earlier-arrested Abdullahi Ibrahim, 40, all from Tilde Village, Funakaye LGA.

According to the PPRO “All suspects confessed during preliminary interviews to participating in several kidnapping operations and receiving an estimated ₦150,000,000 ransom from their victims.”

Further intelligence led operatives to the Gadam bush, where a concealed firearm was believed to have been hidden. However, as officers approached the area, they were ambushed by armed members of the syndicate.

“A brief exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the neutralization of two suspected kidnappers, recovery of one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), and recovery of eight rounds of live ammunition,” Abdullahi confirmed.

The bodies of the deceased suspects have been deposited at the Specialist Hospital Mortuary, Gombe.

Police also linked the syndicate to the 15 January 2025 kidnapping of a man in Barderi Village, Akko LGA, where the victim was held for two weeks until a ransom of ₦15 million was paid.

He later identified suspects numbered 1, 2 and 5 during a police identification parade. Several other victims have since recognised members of the gang as their abductors.

Abdullahi said all suspects and recovered exhibits are undergoing further investigation and profiling, after which they will be prosecuted.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging residents to continue providing credible intelligence to support security operations.