\n\nThe Kebbi State Police Command has announced the killing of a suspected kidnapping gang leader and the rescue of an abducted resident during a security operation in Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.
According to the command, the operation followed intelligence provided by a member of the public and led to the arrest of a suspected gang member identified as Bube Tukur. Police said weapons allegedly belonging to the criminal group were also recovered during the operation.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Kebbi, Bashir Usman, said investigations linked Tukur to the abduction of Abu Geza, a resident of Geza Village in Bagudo LGA. He added that the suspect was arrested during a joint operation involving police officers and other security personnel.
Police stated that Tukur was part of a kidnapping gang allegedly led by one Jiji Mujugu, and that the suspect later guided security operatives to the gang’s hideout. During the operation, the suspected kingpin reportedly opened fire on security personnel while attempting to escape, leading to his death after officers responded.
A locally fabricated pistol and live ammunition were recovered from the suspects, while the rescued victim was released unharmed. The police said the gang had been linked to several kidnapping incidents across communities including Geza, Adawa, Matsinkai, Sharabi, Illela, Suru, Dakin Gari, and Bagudo.
The command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the group who escaped, while the Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, urged residents to continue providing useful information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts against criminal activities in the state.
