From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Operation Total Sanity launched by the Nigerian Police to rout kidnappers and other criminals terrorizing the Abuja/Kaduna highway has yielded positive result with the arrest of Aliyu Bello, reported to be leader of kidnappers in the zone. Aliyu Bello, was described by the police as the grand commander of kidnappers on the Abuja/Kaduna, highway as he is said to be in charge of virtually all the groups in the area. Also arrested is the chief armourer of the group, Mohammadu Majuma and the intelligence officer Abdulahi Adamu alongside 37 other members. They were arrested at various villages along the Abuja/Kaduna highways, north central Nigeria where they have their operational bases. Items recovered from the suspects, include 3 double barrel guns, 2 single barrel guns, one assault rifle mounted with telescope, one locally made pistol revolver with 9.62 ammunition, pump action riffle, revolver, locally made 5MG, 30 live cartridges, assorted ammunitions, two magazines, assorted charms, five laptops, three IPads, several mobile telephone handsets, jewelries, wristwatches and others. Parading the 40 suspects at Rijana, village located along the Abuja/Kaduna highway, police public relations officer, Moshood Jimoh, said the suspects most of whom have confessed to the crime said they operate in different groups along the expressway to effectively carry out their task of kidnapping for ransom. Jimoh who said the police operatives have taken over the bushes on the highway, confirmed that efforts have intensified to arrest the sponsors of the group who are at large. While assuring road users of the safety of the Kaduna/Abuja highway, the police spokesman equally called on villagers and community leaders in crime prone areas to continue to collaborate with the police and other security agencies to rid criminals from their localities.