Troops arrest suspected kidnapper while collecting N200,000 ransom in Nasarawa

Troops of the Nigerian Army, working with operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), have arrested a suspected kidnapper while collecting a N200,000 ransom allegedly demanded from a woman in Nasarawa State.

The suspect, Mukaila Iliyasu, was arrested on 29 October at Akwaba in the state’s Eggon Local Government Area.

The Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

Mr Zubairu said SSS operatives alerted troops of Sector 2, Operation Whirl Stroke, to the alleged threat against the woman, who was reportedly asked to pay N200,000 or risk being abducted.

He said the security agencies subsequently organised a joint operation to apprehend the suspect.

According to the statement, a soldier went undercover and posed as the person assigned to deliver the ransom.

The suspect was arrested while collecting the money, which was recovered by the security operatives.

Mr Zubairu said the suspect was handed over to the SSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He described the operation as an intelligence-led intervention and commended the collaboration between the military and the secret police.

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke and General Officer Commanding 5 Division of the Nigerian Army, Moses Gara, praised the troops and DSS operatives for their professionalism and coordination.

Mr Gara urged security personnel to sustain intelligence sharing and cooperation to tackle kidnapping and other security threats in their areas of responsibility.