Troops Arrest Notorious Bandit And Fake Army Officer In Taraba State.
Troops of the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have made significant strides in ongoing security operations in Taraba State with the arrest of a notorious bandit and an impostor claiming to be a senior military officer.
The army confirmed the arrest of Yusuf Hammadu, widely known by the alias “Dogo,” during an intelligence-led operation in the Lainde Jessy area of Lau Local Government Area on 19 April. Hammadu, who had been on the watchlist of security agencies, is accused of involvement in several kidnappings and criminal activities across multiple communities.
In a statement released on Friday, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 6 Brigade, Captain Olubodunde Oni, disclosed that the suspect confessed during interrogation to being part of a syndicate behind numerous abductions and ransom dealings across Jalingo, Ardo-Kola, Lau, and Yorro LGAs.
In a separate operation, troops apprehended one Richard Ongu on 22 April for allegedly impersonating a serving Major in the Nigerian Army. Ongu initially claimed to have been posted to the 20 Model Battalion, Gashaka, but later admitted he was a dismissed Flight Sergeant of the Nigerian Air Force.
According to the army, Ongu used his false identity to defraud unsuspecting individuals, and he will be handed over to the relevant authorities once investigations are completed for possible prosecution.
Meanwhile, on 16 April, troops responded to a distress call and raided a suspected bandit hideout in Dutsen Kachalla, Lau LGA. Though the suspects managed to flee into nearby hills, soldiers recovered a rifle butt, a magazine, military headgear, and a National Identity Card belonging to one Adamu Umaru Jauro.
Further success was recorded on 24 April when a joint operation involving army troops and operatives from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Jatau-Nyimu village, Donga LGA, led to the recovery of 86 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition and a Tarvor magazine.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace and ensuring the safety of citizens, urging communities to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing credible information.
