The Nigeria Police Command in Nasarawa State has captured one of the region’s most feared kidnap and armed robbery kingpins, Mohammed Bammi, widely known as “Zomo,” during a clearance operation that brought an end to his reign of terror across Doma Local Government Area and neighbouring communities.
Police spokesperson SP Ramhan Nansel confirmed the arrest in a statement on Sunday, explaining that the suspect, who had narrowly escaped capture last month, was finally subdued after vigilant operatives tracked him down in Doka Forest.
“During a clearance operation at Doka Forest, sharp-eyed operatives spotted him. In a desperate attempt to avoid arrest, he drew a knife to attack the officers but was swiftly restrained and taken into custody,” Nansel said.
Following his arrest, the suspect led detectives to a gang hideout in Alagye village, Doma, where a cache of weapons and other items was seized. The recovered exhibits include one pump-action rifle (Breech No. P331551), one locally made AK-47 rifle with a magazine, two live rounds of ammunition and five cartridges, a knife, a rope, two Tecno mobile phones, and a pair of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) uniforms.
In a separate operation, officers from the Awe Area Command raided Gidan Taku village in Wuse Chiefdom, Awe Local Government Area, arresting five suspected members of a notorious 10-man kidnapping ring. The suspects were identified as Michael Ato, Richard Ato, Alom Bernard, Hangior Ato, and Jacob Hunde, also known as “Okocha.”
Investigations revealed that the group was responsible for abducting Mrs Blessing John of Gidan Makaranta village, Wuse. Two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and one live round of ammunition were recovered from the suspects.
Further inquiries by police showed that in April 2024, the same gang kidnapped Mrs John’s husband, Mr John Ada Kuje, and released him after ransom was paid.
The Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police commended the operatives for their determination, vowing that the command would step up its offensive against criminal elements until kidnapping and armed robbery are eradicated from the state.
“All arrested suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further investigation and prosecution,” Nansel added.
