In a joint operation, the Nigerian Army and Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected kidnapper, Mukaila Iliyasu, while collecting a N200,000 ransom in Nasarawa State. The arrest was made at Akwaba in Eggon Local Government Area of the state. According to Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, the suspect was apprehended during a coordinated operation involving troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, and DSS operatives.
The arrest followed intelligence reports that Iliyasu had allegedly threatened to abduct a woman unless she paid the sum of N200,000. On October 29, DSS operatives alerted the military to the alleged threat, prompting the deployment of a coordinated operation to track down the suspect and prevent the planned abduction. A soldier reportedly went undercover and posed as the person assigned to deliver the ransom, leading to the suspect's apprehension.
The military described the operation as a successful intelligence-led intervention that prevented a possible kidnapping. The operation underscored the importance of cooperation among security agencies in tackling criminal activities. Security operatives recovered N200,000 believed to be the ransom demanded from the intended victim. The suspect was subsequently handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke and General Officer Commanding 5 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Kolo Gara, commended the troops and DSS operatives for their professionalism, courage, and effective coordination. Gara urged security personnel to sustain their collaboration and strengthen intelligence sharing to tackle kidnapping and other security threats across their areas of responsibility.
Gara also emphasised the need for continued inter-agency cooperation to protect lives, safeguard communities, and maintain peace in the region. The arrest and recovery of the ransom demonstrate the commitment of security agencies to preventing and combating crime in Nigeria. The incident highlights the threats posed by kidnapping and ransom demands in the country.
The Nigerian Army and DSS have been working together to tackle security challenges in the country. Their collaboration has led to several successful operations, including the arrest of suspected kidnappers and bandits. The agencies have also been engaging with local communities to gather intelligence and prevent crimes.
The arrest of Mukaila Iliyasu is a significant success for the security agencies, and it demonstrates their ability to work together to prevent and combat crime. The incident also highlights the importance of intelligence gathering and sharing in preventing crimes. The security agencies have appealed to the public to continue providing them with intelligence to help prevent and combat crime.
Key points
- The Nigerian Army and DSS arrested a suspected kidnapper, Mukaila Iliyasu, while collecting a N200,000 ransom in Nasarawa State.
- The arrest was made during a joint operation involving troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, and DSS operatives.
- The suspect was handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.
