In a significant operation, troops from 93 Battalion under 6 Bridget of the Nigerian Army have successfully captured a suspected female kidnapper in Taraba State as she attempted to collect ransom. The operation also led to the arrest of a notorious gunrunner, Joshua Dutse Idah, known for supplying arms to criminals in Taraba and other parts of the country.
The female suspect, Janet Igohia, was reportedly married to a notorious criminal who served as the second-in-command to the late Hana Terwase. The troops, acting on credible intelligence, made the arrests, highlighting the effectiveness of their operation.
Joshua Dutse Idah, the gunrunner, was intercepted on his way to Kaduna State. Upon interrogation, he confessed to heading to Katsina State to acquire AK-47 rifles. The troops found a significant cache of weapons in his possession, including 1 PK machine gun, 399 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, and 3 AK-47 rifle magazines.
Janet Igohia, the female suspect, was apprehended after collecting N1.5 million, intended as ransom payment for an abducted victim. She disclosed her connections to high-profile criminals, including her current marriage to the leader of a violent extremist group in southern Taraba and her previous marriages to notorious criminals like the late Terkibi Gemaga and Gana Terwase.
Additionally, two other suspected gunrunners involved in extra-judicial killings and cattle rustling, identified as Alhaji Adamu Damisa and Usman Isah, were arrested in Mararaba Baissa community of Donga LGA. The operation yielded the recovery of N600,000 from the suspects.
This successful series of arrests showcases the military’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and maintaining security in Taraba State.
