The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a dreaded kidnap and armed robbery kingpin, Mohammed Bammi, popularly known as “Zomo,” in a major operation at Doka Forest, Doma Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel, who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Sunday, described it as a significant breakthrough in the fight against violent crime in the state.
Zomo, who narrowly escaped capture last month when some of his gang members were apprehended, was overpowered after he attempted to attack operatives with a knife during the raid.
During interrogation, he led detectives to the gang’s hideout in Alagye Village, Doma, where a cache of arms and incriminating items was recovered.
These included one pump-action rifle, a locally made AK-47 rifle with a magazine, two live rounds of ammunition, five cartridges, a knife, a rope, two Tecno phones, and a pair of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps uniforms.
In a separate sting operation, operatives attached to Awe Area Command raided Gidan Taku Village in Wuse Chiefdom, Awe LGA, arresting five members of a suspected 10-man kidnapping syndicate.
The suspects — Michael Ato, Richard Ato, Alom Bernard, Hangior Ato, and Jacob Hunde, also known as “Okocha” — were linked to the abduction of Blessing John of Gidan Makaranta Village, as well as the April 2024 kidnap of her husband, John Ada Kuje, for whom ransom was collected before his release.
Two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and one live round of ammunition were recovered from the suspects.
Commending his men, the Commissioner of Police praised their bravery and urged them to sustain the offensive until kidnappers and armed robbers are completely flushed out of the state.
The command confirmed that all suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further investigation and prosecution.