2 killed, others arrested as attempt to kidnap Customs officer backfires

An attempt by a notorious kidnap gang to abduct a Customs officer and his wife has ended in tragedy for the assailants after a fierce gun duel with operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, the incident occurred at Bukan-Ari area along Kurikyo Road in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Operatives of the Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) reportedly foiled the abduction following an intelligence-led operation that lasted several hours.

Speaking at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja, the Special Intelligence Squad Commander, Commandant A.S. Dandaura (JP), said:
“In a 5-hour intelligence-based coordinated operation, his men alongside the Nasarawa State Commandant foiled a kidnap attempt on two residents of the Bukan-Ari area along Kurikyo Road in the Lafia metropolis.”

He reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to combating all forms of criminality, stating:

“Let me reiterate that the Commandant General of the NSCDC has zero tolerance for all acts of economic sabotage, vandalism, and threats against lives and property of the civil populace, and we are committed to fighting head-on any group or syndicate terrorizing the peace of innocent citizens.”

Dandaura explained that the operation’s success was due to the effective use of modern technology and credible intelligence on the notorious gang terrorizing Lafia and its environs.

“They met their Waterloo while in an attempt to kidnap a Customs officer, the wife, and one other person (name withheld),” he said.

“The CG’s Special Intelligence Squad engaged the kidnappers and subdued them due to superior and intense firing power which resulted in the arrest of two kidnappers. The other two were neutralized while one escaped with severe gunshot injuries and made away with an AK-47 rifle.”

Items recovered from the crime scene included one AK-47 rifle, a magazine with 40 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, five mobile phones, two knives, ₦7,500 cash, and some substances suspected to be charms.

The arrested suspects were identified as Hassan Ibrahim, 23, from Azare Local Government Area of Bauchi State, and Ibrahim Hudu, 30. Two other gang members, identified as a driver known as Mata and Yahaya Abubakar, were killed during the shootout.

Dandaura added that the arrested suspects are cooperating with investigators and have confessed to their roles in previous kidnappings.

He assured that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and dismantle the rest of the syndicate.