Taraba troops nab owner of abandoned vehicle carrying arms

Troops from the 6 Brigade/Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) in Taraba State have successfully apprehended the owner of an abandoned Toyota Yaris, from which arms were recently removed.

It will be recalled that the troops had last week intercepted a suspicious blue Toyota Yaris with registration number Taraba KLD 652 XA and discovered an AK-47 rifle and other incriminating items hidden in the vehicle compartment after the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled.

Announcing the breakthrough yesterday via a press statement made available to media personnel in Jalingo, the state capital, Acting Assistant Director 6 Brigade Army Public Relations, Captain Oni Olubodunde, said that the feat was achieved as a result of thorough investigation.

He said, “Following a thorough investigation and intelligence gathering, troops tracked down and arrested Mallam Abubakar Adamu, the owner of the abandoned vehicle and a suspect in the criminal activities in the area.”

The suspect, at the time of filing this report, troops said, had admitted to the crime, stating that “during interrogation, Adamu confessed to having sent the driver, who is still at large, to convey the weapon from Doruwa village to Wukari in Wukari Local Government Council of the State.”

Mallam Abubakar was arrested in Mutum Biyu with two mobile phones, along with the union driver Mallam Isah Ibrahim, who is also an accomplice.

The two suspects, who according to the troops are currently in custody, are undergoing further interrogation to reveal the extent of their involvement in various criminal enterprises and to arrest the wanted driver of the vehicle.

While hailing the troops for their dedication and resilience, the Commander 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, stated that “this arrest is a testament to our commitment to maintaining peace and security in Taraba State and its environs.”

He applauded the good people of the state for assisting the Brigade with credible intelligence that led to the success of the operation.

He urged the public to continue providing timely information to security agencies, stating that “our success depends on the cooperation and support of the good people of Taraba State.”