Troops arrest suspected kidnapper’s informant in Benue

A suspected female kidnappers’ informant, identified as Miss Grace Markus, is currently in the custody of the 6 Brigade/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) in Jalingo.

The suspect, arrested over the weekend in Wukari Local Government Area, was alleged to have been aiding kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state.

The announcement, contained in a release made available to the media on Sunday in Jalingo by the Acting Assistant Director, 6 Brigade Army Public Relations, Captain Oni Olubodunde, also identified Grace as the girlfriend of a notorious kidnapper named Chen, who was reported to be terrorising the general area.

Items recovered during the operation that led to her arrest include an AK-47 rifle and a vehicle in two separate operations.

“Following the recent abduction of one Malam Saidu at his residence in Vesee community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, troops of the 6 Brigade in Sondi village of Wukari LGA of Taraba State conducted an intelligence-led operation on 6 September 2024 and arrested a suspected kidnappers’ informant named Miss Markus Grace for reportedly aiding kidnappers and criminal elements in the area.

She is also confirmed to be the girlfriend of a notorious kidnapper named Chen, who was reported to be terrorising the general area. The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further investigation to reveal the extent of her involvement in various criminal enterprises,” the release stated.

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On 5 September 2024, the troops also announced the arrest of a Toyota Yaris containing an AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine, and two identity cards of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

“During a separate operation in the late hours of 5 September 2024, troops of the Brigade, while on routine stop-and-search patrol in Bantaje town of Wukari LGA, flagged down a suspicious blue Toyota Yaris vehicle with registration number Taraba KLD 652 XA coming from Wukari and heading towards Jalingo. Upon being stopped, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled into nearby bushes.

A thorough search of the abandoned vehicle led to the discovery of an AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine, and two identity cards of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mutum Biyu Branch of Gassol LGA of Taraba State, bearing the names Isa Ibrahim and Mallam Isa Garin Tukura.”

The investigation is still ongoing to trace and arrest the suspect and ascertain the involvement of individuals with the identity cards.

Elated by the development, the Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, commended the troops for their professionalism and swift action and urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and useful information to help prevent and combat criminal activities in Taraba.