Troops from the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have arrested the owner of a vehicle abandoned with arms in Wukari local government council of the state.
According to a statement from Captain Oni Olubodunde, the Acting Assistant Director of the 6 Brigade Army Public Relations, the suspect, Mallam Abubakar Adamu, was apprehended alongside an accomplice, Mallam Isah Ibrahim, during a follow-up operation in the local government.
The arrests, as made known by him, occurred on Sunday, September 8, 2024, following a previous discovery of an AK-47 rifle and other incriminating materials in a blue Toyota Yaris with the registration number Taraba KLD 652 XA, which was abandoned in Bantaje town.
The vehicle’s driver, it would be recalled to have fled into nearby bushes when intercepted by soldiers from Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).
In the statement released to journalists on Tuesday, Olubodunde detailed how intelligence gathering and thorough investigation led to the tracking and arrest of Mallam Abubakar Adamu in Mutum Biyu.
The suspect was said to have confessed during interrogation to having sent the driver, who is still at large, to transport the weapon from Doruwa village to Wukari. Both Abubakar and Ibrahim were arrested with two mobile phones in their possession.
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“The two suspects are currently in custody undergoing further interrogation to determine the full extent of their criminal activities, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the driver who fled,” Olubodunde added.
The Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, praised the operation, emphasizing the military’s dedication to maintaining peace and security in Taraba State. He also thanked the local community for providing crucial intelligence that contributed to the success of the operation.
“Our success depends on the cooperation and support of the good people of Taraba State,” Brigadier General Uwa said, urging residents to continue providing timely information to security operatives to combat criminal activities.
This arrest comes just two days after troops from the same brigade captured a suspected female informant for kidnappers in the state.
