The Plateau State Police Command has announced the arrest of more than a dozen suspects linked to various criminal activities, including a man who attempted to deliver food supplies to kidnappers in Jos North Local Government Area.
Addressing journalists on Thursday at the Command Headquarters in Jos, Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Adesina revealed that one of the suspects, identified as 20-year-old Auwal Mohammed from Tilde Fulani, Toro LGA of Bauchi State, was caught in the Mazah community while transporting provisions to members of a kidnap gang.
“As part of our efforts to rid Plateau State of kidnapping activities, the command has arrested a member of a kidnap syndicate around Mazah community in Jos North Local Government Area,” Adesina stated.
According to him, detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit intercepted Mohammed on August 3, 2025, around 12:30 pm.
Items recovered from him included a cutlass, loaves of bread, packets of cigarettes, powdered Chekers Custard, a torchlight, glucose sachets, Top Tea sachets, and a Tecno Camon phone, which the suspect admitted belonged to one of the gang’s victims.
“During our interview, the suspect confessed that he is a member of a kidnap syndicate that operates around the borders of Plateau and Bauchi States. He also revealed that he was out on a mission to get more supplies for his fellow gang members, while they await a response from their victim’s family.
“The suspect is currently in our custody, as efforts are on top gear to arrest his cohorts and charge them in court for onward prosecution,” the CP added.
In addition, the Commissioner disclosed that three other men, Sunusi Abdullahi, Suleiman Saidu, and Abbas Yusuf, were apprehended in connection with kidnapping incidents in the Mista-Ali community of Bassa LGA.
He further noted that operatives rescued a victim named Ebuka and arrested four suspects, Joshua Ponzing Nathaniel, Zairuma Sani, Abas Sani, and Nanfa Goni, who were caught with a locally fabricated pistol.
Also in police custody are two suspects, Inusa Yahaya and Abdulrahman Suleiman, found with a locally made revolver rifle, and another individual, Godwin Jacob, who was nabbed with a locally fabricated pistol.
Reassuring residents, Adesina said the command has intensified operations across the state to guarantee public safety, particularly during the period known as the “Ember Months.”
“I have directed all the DPOs and heads of Tactical/Patrol Teams to embark on ‘Ember Month Surveillance’ operations to ensure that Plateau citizens and visitors are safe during this period,” he said.
The CP confirmed that all suspects will face prosecution once investigations are concluded, while also urging residents to continue providing credible intelligence to aid the fight against crime.
