42 suspected kidnappers arrested as troops, police raid Nasarawa villages

Troops of Sector 2, Operation Whirl Stroke, in collaboration with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes, have arrested 42 suspected kidnappers during a coordinated security operation in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The development was disclosed in a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the operation was conducted at about 9:45am, on July 11 following reports of alleged kidnapping activities in Nunku, Dundu, Takpir and Akka villages.

Makama reported that the joint security team was deployed to the affected communities, where clearance and cordon-and-search operations led to the arrest of 42 suspects.

“The joint security team swiftly mobilised to the affected communities, where 42 suspects were apprehended during clearance and cordon-and-search operations,” the report stated.

The report added that the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at the Andaha Divisional Headquarters for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Makama further reported that security authorities said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle suspected kidnapping networks and improve security across Nasarawa State and neighbouring communities.