Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a decisive security operation that underscores ongoing efforts to tackle violent crime in northeastern Nigeria, the Adamawa State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers following a raid on a notorious criminal hideout in a remote part of Balma Village, Song Local Government Area. The arrests were part of a coordinated operation backed by credible intelligence and collaboration with local security partners.
According to the police command’s statement, operatives, working alongside local hunters, stormed the hideout on January 24, 2026 after receiving actionable information about the presence of criminal elements linked to kidnapping activities terrorising communities within the region. The joint team successfully apprehended the two suspects, identified as Shaibu Mohammadu, 30, and Ja’o Bawa, 31, both of whom are currently in custody as investigations continue.
Items recovered during the raid include a locally fabricated revolver, an assault rifle, two mobile phones, charms and other materials believed to be connected to their alleged criminal operations. All exhibits have been seized and secured by the police for further forensic analysis and use in ongoing investigations.
The police spokesperson, Superintendent Suleiman Nguroje, stated that preliminary investigation suggests the suspects were involved in multiple kidnapping incidents in Song and neighbouring communities, sowing fear among residents and disrupting normal socio-economic activities. Both suspects have confessed to their alleged involvement, according to the command, and additional efforts are underway to apprehend other members of the criminal network believed to be at large.
Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, commended the successful operation and highlighted the importance of community cooperation in the fight against crime. He reiterated that information sharing between local residents and security agencies remains critical in pre-empting violent criminal activity and protecting vulnerable communities.
The arrests come amid broader security challenges in Adamawa and other northeastern states, where kidnappings, armed banditry and violent criminal enterprises have periodically threatened the safety of rural and urban populations. Collaborative operations between police, local hunters, vigilante groups and military units have been central to recent successes in arresting suspects and dismantling criminal hideouts across the region.
Residents in affected areas have welcomed the police action, urging continued vigilance and increased patrols to prevent the resurgence of criminal networks. Community leaders have also echoed the call for sustained cooperation with security forces to ensure lasting peace and stability across local government areas frequently targeted by kidnappers.
As investigations progress, authorities have assured the public that the suspects will be charged in court once evidence gathering is complete, signalling a firm stance against kidnapping and related offences in Adamawa State. Police have also reiterated a commitment to intensifying ongoing manhunts for other suspects linked to the syndicate, aiming to further disrupt and ultimately dismantle organised criminal operations in the region.
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