Taraba State Police Command, yesterday, paraded suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and others arrested during operations aimed at curbing the surge in criminal activities in the state.
  
Parading the suspects at Command Headquarters in Jalingo, the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, said the action was carried out under the directive of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetukon, who encouraged the command to intensify its efforts through community-based and intelligence-led policing.
 
He described the arrest of a syndicate of suspected kidnappers terrorising Jauro Ganah, and individuals involved in the vandalisation of a transformer belonging to the Yola Electricity Distribution Company as one of the notable achievements of the command.
 
Another significant arrest, the commissioner said, involved a notorious kidnapping gang leader, Badon Linus, who confessed to leading a syndicate responsible for high-profile abductions, including that of the third-class chief of Pupule, a pastor, and others.  Eribo attributed the successes to collaborative efforts with other security agencies, vigilantes, and hunters. 
  
In another operation, the commissioner said the anti-kidnapping squad, in collaboration with vigilantes, arrested suspects connected with the recent kidnap of five victims in Runde village. 
 
He said the operation resulted in the rescue of abducted individuals and the death of one of the kidnappers during a gun duel. He also said a team of mobile policemen arrested one Aliyu Mohammed with a substantial amount of cash, phones, unused MTN recharge cards, and amulets, adding: “The suspect attempted to bribe the police but was apprehended.”
 
While commending the efforts of police operatives and acknowledging the support received from the state governor, Kefas Agbu, and other security agencies, stakeholders, vigilantes, hunters, and law-abiding citizens of the state, Eribo assured the public that the command remains committed to ensuring safety and security in the state.