Police kill suspected kidnap kingpin, rescue victim in Kebbi

Police in Nigeria's Kebbi State have eliminated a suspected leader of a kidnapping ring and successfully rescued an abducted resident during an operation in the Bagudo Local Government Area. The state police command reported that the operation also resulted in the apprehension of a suspect identified as Bube Tukur and the seizure of firearms allegedly used by the criminal group. According to Bashir Usman, the Police Public Relations Officer for Kebbi State, the operation was prompted by information from the public. Investigators connected Mr. Tukur, a resident of Kasuwar Daji, to the abduction of Abu Geza from Geza Village. Usman stated that Tukur was arrested in a joint operation involving police and other security personnel. The investigation revealed Tukur was part of an eight-member gang, including a leader named Jiji Mujugu. During the arrest, police recovered a locally made pistol and a live cartridge from Tukur. The abducted victim, Abu Geza, was rescued unharmed. Tukur subsequently led security operatives to the hideout of the alleged gang leader. Police reported that the suspected kingpin initiated a firefight with security personnel while attempting to escape, prompting the operatives to return fire and neutralize him. Another locally made pistol was recovered from the deceased suspect. The gang is accused of carrying out kidnappings across numerous communities in Kebbi, including Geza, Adawa, Matsinkai, Sharabi, Illela, Suru, Dakin Gari, and Bagudo. Police are actively pursuing other gang members who evaded capture during the operation. The Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, commended the public for their vital information and urged continued cooperation with security agencies. Kidnapping remains a significant security challenge in Kebbi and neighboring northwestern states, where armed groups frequently target travelers, farmers, and rural communities despite ongoing security efforts.

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The operatives returned fire, neutralising him. One locally fabricated pistol was recovered from him.