The Nigeria Police have announced the arrest of the mastermind of the attack on the Kaduna-Abuja train, identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, alias Mande.
Terrorists had launched attack on the train in March 2022, abducting dozens and killing others.
According to the Police, Mande was apprehended by the anti-kidnapping unit of the Kaduna State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on January 12, 2024.
The Police Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who paraded the suspect alongside over 30 others arrested suspects for various crimes in the State, said Mande confessed to being the leader of a kidnapped syndicate terrorizing the Kaduna-Abuja Highway.
According to Adejobi: “On January 12, 2024, police operatives attached to the anti-kidnapping unit of the Kaduna State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), based on credible information, swooped in and arrested one Ibrahim Abdullahi, also known as MANDE, at the Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover by Rido Junction.
“The suspect confessed to being the leader of a kidnap syndicate terrorizing the Kaduna-Abuja highway, ranked among other criminals like Dogo Gide and Bello Turji.
“He had participated in various kidnapping incidents, including the abduction at Green Field University, and he was involved in almost all the kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna highway. He was also involved in the popular Kaduna-Abuja train attack but had run away. We promised Nigerians that he would be arrested.”
The Force PRO also pointed out that strategic initiatives implemented along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway have significantly contributed to the successes recorded.
He mentioned that under the directive of the Inspector General of Police, a helicopter has been deployed to serve as an escort for trains using the route, providing aerial support for the ground troops from the Armed Forces, Police, and other security agencies deployed along the corridor. This proactive measure, he said, is aimed at preventing attacks and act as a first responder in the event of any untoward incidents.
He added that the relentless pursuit of criminal elements has resulted in remarkable outcomes, including the arrest of 81 armed robbery suspects, 40 kidnap suspects, 73 murder/homicide suspects, 36 rape suspects, 22 suspects involved in cult-related crimes, and 28 suspects engaged in other criminal activities.
Furthermore, the operations have led to the recovery of 16 firearms of various types, along with 226 ammunition of diverse calibers. Additionally, 28 stolen vehicles, over 200 harmful weapons, and 600 bags of fertilizers have been retrieved. Moreover, a total of three million, three hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N3,350,000) only, previously paid as ransom to kidnappers, has been successfully recovered, while 158 kidnapped victims have been rescued and reunited with their families unharmed.