Army Arrests 5 Suspected Kidnappers Terrorising Katsina Communities

The Nigerian Army has said troops operating under Exercise Harbin Kunama III have arrested kidnapping syndicate that had been terrorising Funtua-Faskari surrounding villages in Katsina State.

A statement issued on Sunday by the acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, said that the arrest was made following credible information received from good Samaritans about bandits/ kidnappers’ syndicate that have been terrorising Funtua -Faskari surrounding villages.

 The statement said troops of 17 Brigade Nigerian Army, on Exercise HARBIN KUNAMA III, deployed at Faskari in Faskari Local Government Area of the statw, conducted a successful Cordon and Search as well as raid operations at Sheme village, Ruwan Godiya forest and surrounding localities.

It said the operations resulted in the arrest of 5 kidnappers near Sheme village, along Ruwan-Godiya forest axis, noting that even at the time of filing this report, patrols were ongoing in the neighboring suspected bandits’ hideouts.

It noted that, “During preliminary investigation, the apprehended suspects confessed to have been involved in kidnapping incidents in the general area, as well as sending their victims to their ring leaders that are based deep in the forest at Ruwan-Godiya.

“Consequently, troops further exploited deep into Ruwan-Godiya Forest setting Bandits/Kidnappers hideouts on fire.

The statement added that, “Troops continue to dominate the area with patrols, to deny the bandits/kidnappers freedom of action.’’

The troops, therefore, called on the members of the public to give reliable information about suspicious movements of bandits and criminals to the nearest Army location or security agencies for necessary action.