JOS, Nigeria — Police in Plateau State said they have broken up several kidnap gangs and arrested 10 suspects during operations in Jos and Bassa.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

State Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Adesina announced the arrests Friday, saying the suspects were taken into custody after weeks of surveillance and joint raids by special tactical teams.

According to Adesina, the suspects are linked to multiple abductions in rural communities and along highways connecting Jos to Bassa and neighboring areas. He said the gangs had been terrorizing residents and collecting ransom from victims’ families.

“Through credible intelligence, our men tracked and arrested the suspects at different hideouts,” Adesina told reporters. “Weapons, motorcycles, and phones used in negotiating ransom were recovered from them.”

Police said the operations followed a spike in kidnapping incidents in Plateau State, which has seen a rise in violent crime over the past year. Security agencies have faced mounting pressure from community leaders to dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.

Adesina said the latest arrests show the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property. He urged residents to continue providing information to help security agencies identify criminal hideouts and movements.

Kidnapping for ransom has become one of Nigeria’s most persistent security challenges, affecting states across the country. In Plateau, farmers and traders have often been targeted on their way to markets or while working on farmlands. Victims are usually released only after relatives pay large sums, sometimes forcing families into debt.

Police identified some of the suspects as hardened criminals with past records of armed robbery and extortion. Others are believed to have recently joined the groups, lured by the promise of quick money. The suspects are being interrogated and will face prosecution once investigations are complete, police said.

Residents of Jos and Bassa welcomed the news of the arrests but called for more long-term security measures. “We are happy with what the police have done, but they should not stop here,” said Musa Ibrahim, a community leader in Bassa. “These gangs always come back unless security is sustained.”

Civil society groups also urged the government to address root causes of kidnapping, including unemployment and lack of opportunities for young people. “Every time we arrest, more youths are waiting to take their place because poverty is pushing them,” said Ngozi Umeh, coordinator of a local peace initiative. “We need both security action and social programs.”

The police commissioner assured the public that patrols would be increased on major roads and around farming communities. He added that more intelligence officers are being deployed to gather early warnings before attacks occur.

In recent months, Plateau State has experienced repeated clashes between criminal gangs and security forces. Analysts say the crackdown in Jos and Bassa could help reduce crime in the short term, but warn that the challenge of organized kidnapping groups remains nationwide.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly pledged to end kidnapping, with federal security agencies launching joint task forces in several states. However, progress has been slow due to limited resources, vast rural terrain, and the sophistication of criminal networks.

For residents of Jos and Bassa, the arrests bring relief but also caution. Many say they fear reprisals or the re-emergence of other gangs if security presence weakens.

Police called on citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to local authorities. “Together we can defeat these criminals,” Adesina said. “The safety of our communities depends on partnership between the people and the police.”

The 10 suspects remain in custody as investigations continue. Police said more raids are expected in the coming weeks to track down accomplices and dismantle remaining hideouts.

With kidnappings spreading fear across Plateau, the latest arrests mark a victory for security forces. But the struggle to protect communities from organized gangs is far from over.