Military intercept N60m kidnappers ransom in sting operation that leads to arrests of bandits

NIGERIAN security forces have intercepted a sum of N60m ($145,000)  being taken to criminals as ransom fees collected for the freedom of captives who have been abducted by armed kidnappers.

Apparently, an assault carried out by a Nigerian Army squadron in conjunction with Nigerian Air Force special forces took out a number of the bandits during the operation. It is believed that among the hoodlums arrested during the assault were some members of the security forces.

This intelligence-driven operation also led to the rescue of some kidnapped victims including women and children. It is believed that the two units involved were the 271 Nigerian Air Force squadron in Birnin Gwari and the Nigerian Army Forward Operating Base in Gwaska, both in Kaduna State.

One military source said: “N60,000,000 in cash, petroleum products and sophisticated weapons, were recovered during the operations. We will refer the case of the arrested couriers, who have identifications with security agencies, to the Department of State Service and Defence Intelligence Agency for further investigation.”

Troops also recovered vehicles, AK-47 rifles, magazines, various kinds of ammunition and mobile phones. It is unclear if the N60m intercepted was from a single operation or if the victims were part of those seized after the March 28 deadly attack on a Kaduna-Abuja train.