Troops arrest three suspected kidnappers, recover N3.5m in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have arrested three suspected kidnappers and recovered N3.5 million during an operation in a forest area of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects, identified as Sahabi Isah, 20; Umar Mohammed Sani, 26; and Usman Suleiman, 21, were arrested at about 9 a.m. on Sept. 4, 2026, following a report that suspected kidnappers had moved after collecting ransom from a victim.
The suspects were intercepted while travelling in a vehicle within the forest area.
One of the suspects reportedly attempted to escape but was re-arrested by a soldier. The suspect allegedly offered the soldier N500,000 to release him, but the soldier refused the offer.
Troops recovered N3.5 million from the vehicle.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Umar Mohammed Sani was allegedly only a passenger in the vehicle, while two of the suspects claimed that the recovered money was proceeds from the sale of rustled cattle.
The three suspects remain in custody as further investigation continues to establish their individual roles and the source of the recovered funds.
