On Saturday, the Nigeria Police Force announced that it had successfully neutralized a group of notorious kidnappers and dismantled their camps in Mpape, Municipal Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
A statement by the Force spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, gave the name of the notorious kingpin neutralised as Musa Wada (Sabo) Magaji.
According to the statement, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Bureau – Intelligence Response Team (FIB-IRT), acting on intelligence at the early hours of February 9, 2024, around 2.40am, eliminated many notorious kidnappers including Magaji, who was the kingpin in an operation conducted around Mpape, Abuja.
The team, Adejobi said, equally destroyed the camps of the dreaded kidnappers who had been thorns in the flesh of Abuja residents in recent times.
According to the statement, the bandits engaged the police operatives in a gun battle that lasted for about 30 minutes, which left many of the bandits fatally injured, while one of the police operatives sustained bullet wounds.
The statement partly read: “This significant achievement follows closely on the heels of the neutralization of Abubakar Wada, an associate of Musa Wada, on February 8, 2024, who served as a lead to their hideout.
“Musa Wada, aka Sabo, was the mastermind behind numerous kidnappings for ransom activities plaguing areas including Mpape and Bwari in the FCT; Kagarko in Kaduna; Masaka, and Nukun Village in Nasarawa State. His modus operandi involved identifying wealthy targets and mobilising armed gangs to carry out abductions for ransom.
“The successful raid on their hideout, situated in the outskirts of Mpape Hills, was conducted by the brave men of the FIB-IRT through a surprise assault, resulting in the elimination of these notorious criminals.
“Additionally, items recovered from the hideout include mobile phones, multiple SIM cards, charms, and hard drugs, which are crucial pieces of evidence aiding ongoing investigations. Efforts are on to recover additional arms and ammunition and other equipment they use for their nefarious operations.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, and will continue to employ proactive measures to dismantle criminal networks and bring perpetrators of heinous crimes to justice, against all odds.”
