The officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested the masterminds of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack which occurred in March 2022 in Kaduna State.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Adejobi noted that one Ibrahim Abdullahi, popularly known as Mande, was apprehended by police operatives at the Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover.

According to him, the suspect confessed to being the leader of a kidnap syndicate terrorising the Kaduna-Abuja highway, ranked among other criminals like Dogo Gide and Bello Turji.

The police spokesman said Abdullahi participated in various kidnapping incidents, including the kidnapping incident at Green Field University, adding that the suspect partook in almost all the kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.

Freed train passenger: We slept on bare ground in forest for weeks

“Similarly, from the confessional statements of the suspects, on 28th of March, 2022, Ibrahim, alongside one Auwal Ayuba who was also paraded for kidnapping, and one Babangida Alhaji Bello were part of the armed group that attacked the train on its way from Abuja in the Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna State, with several persons killed and others abducted,” Adejobi added.

He noted that the relentless efforts of the Nigeria Police Force have yielded remarkable outcomes, including the arrest of 81-armed robbery suspects, 40 kidnap suspects, 73 murder/homicide suspects, 36 rape suspects, 22 suspects involved in cult-related crimes, and 28 suspects engaged in other criminal activities.

Adejobi said the police recovered 16 firearms of various types, along with 686 ammunition of diverse calibres.

The police spokesperson stated: “Additionally, our operations have led to the retrieval of 28 stolen vehicles, over 200 harmful weapons, and 600 bags of fertilizers.

“A total of N3,350,000 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.

“The majority of the suspects have been charged to court.”

He disclosed that 63 suspects paraded by the police in Abuja were yet to be prosecuted.

Troops arrest mastermind of Abuja-Kaduna train attack

Adejobi further quoted the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, as reaffirming the dedication of the NPF to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

The IGP emphasised that the Force is committed to replicating the successful intervention and operations across the country to ensure that movement from one part of the country to another does not become challenging due to the activities of criminal elements in society.

The Star