Troops of 93 Battalion under 6 Brigade have apprehended a notorious gunrunner involved in illegal dealings of arms and ammunition to criminals elements within Taraba State and other parts of the country.
Acting Assistant Director, 6 Brigade Army Public Relations, Lt. Oni Olubodunde said the gunrunner, Joshua Dutse Idah was arrested following credible intelligence on his activities.
He said the troops trailed the movement of Idah, 45, which led to his final arrest on 20 January 2024 in Ibi town of Ibi LGA while driving to Kaduna State in a Blue Volkswagen Sharon vehicle with registration number Rivers SKN-390AA.
Olubodunde noted that on interrogation, Idah confessed he was going to Katsina State to bring in AK 47 Rifles and that he received part payment of 300,000.
He stressed: “After a thorough search on the vehicle, troops recovered 1 PK Machine Gun, Quantity 399 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition and 3 AK 47 Rifle Magazines.”
Olubodunde said on 25 January 2024, information was received from sources on the activities of extremist groups and Insurgents around Chanchanji and Sai communities on their plans to move to a drop zone where relatives of abducted victims were directed to drop ransom money.
He added: “Based on this information, troops deployed at Chanchanji laid in wait at the suspected area and at about 10:00 am, Janet Igohia age 31 was arrested after picking up the sum of N1.5 million, being ransom payment for an abducted victim.
“Janet Igohia revealed that she is presently married to Voryor Gata a notorious criminal and former second in command to late Gana Terwase.
“She is currently married to the leader of a violent extremist group in southern Taraba. According to her, she had previously been married to high profile criminals such as late Terkibi Gemaga AKA Mopol a notorious kidnapper who was killed by troops 5 years ago.”
Olubodunde said she revealed that she also got married to late Gana Terwase, another notorious criminal who was killed during Joint Special Force Operation 3 years ago.
He said the troops deployed at Mararaba Baissa community of Donga Local Government Area apprehended two other suspected gunrunners who were allegedly involved in extra judicial killings and cattle rustling with the sum of N664,000 which were proceeds from their illegal activities and 2 Techno mobile phones.
He said the criminals are: Alhaji Adamu Damisa age 40 and Usman Isah age 44.