The Nigeria Police on Thursday, said it has arrest the alleged mastermind of the March 28, 2022 attack on the Abuja-Kaduna passengers train.
Many passengers were killed in the attack, several others were injured while 61 persons were abducted.
All the abducted passengers were released at various intervals, with the latest batch freed after seven months.
The suspected mastermind identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, also known as Mandi.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this on Thursday in Kaduna.
He added that the suspect also participated in the abduction of students from Greenfield University in 2021.
The police spokesperson said 48 AK-47 rifles were seized during Mandi’s arrest and efforts were underway to identify his sponsor and supplier of weapons.
Adejobi said, “On 12th January 2024, police operatives attached to an anti-kidnapping unit of Kaduna State Criminal Investigation Department, based on credible information swooped in and arrested one Ibrahim Abdullahi aka MANDE at Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover by Rido Junction.
“The suspect confessed to being the leader of a kidnap syndicate terrorizing the Kaduna-Abuja highway, ranked among other criminals like Dogo Gide and Bello Turji.
“He had participated in various kidnapping incidents including the kidnapping incident at Green Field University and he partook in almost all the kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.”
He said further that a total of 280 suspected armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminal elements were arrested in the past four months.
According to him, 81-armed robbers, 40 kidnapers, 73 murder/homicide suspects, 36 rape suspects, 22 suspects involved in cult-related crimes, and 28 suspects engaged in other criminal activities between January to date with especially on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.
He said, the strategic initiative being implemented by the force along the Abuja-Kaduna highway was responsible for current success stories so far recorded
Adejobi added that police operatives have successfully recovered 16 firearms of various types along with 226 ammunition of diverse calibres.
“Additionally, our operations have led to the retrieval of 28 stolen vehicles, over 200 harmful weapons, and 600 bags of fertilizers.
“A total of three million, three hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N3,350,000) only, previously paid as ransom to kidnappers, has been successfully recovered, while our swift and coordinated efforts have resulted in the safe rescue of 158 kidnapped victims, all of whom have been reunited with their families unharmed. These achievements include.”
The police spokesman further said that the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, remains steadfast in its resolve to uphold the rule of law, ensure the safety and security of all citizens as well as combat criminal activities in the country.
