Police arrest mastermind of Abuja-Kaduna train attack

Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested one Ibrahim Abdullahi, aka Mande, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the March 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed this while parading the suspect at the Kaduna Police Headquarters on Thursday.

He said that Mande was arrested based on credible information at the Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover by Rido Junction in Chikun Local Government Area.

Adejobi explained that the suspect has confessed to being a leader of a kidnap syndicate terrorising the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway and ranked among notorious bandits like Dogo Gide and Bello Turji.

The Force PRO further disclosed that police operatives also arrested another notorious kidnap gang leader who masterminded the September 2023 attack on the Saint Raphael Catholic Church at Fadan Kamantan, where a seminarian and the church were burnt to ashes.

He said, “Regrettably, the suspects had already set ablaze the priest’s residence before the arrival of the authorities.

“Despite the valiant efforts of operatives, one seminarian Stephen Naaman tragically lost his life in the inferno, and property worth millions of Naira, including a Honda vehicle and a motorcycle, were consumed by the fire.

“However, due to diligence and tireless pursuit of the issue by the police, on the 22nd of March, 2024 one Yakubu Saidu, the mastermind and leader of the notorious kidnapping gang, was apprehended and he confessed to his involvement in the heinous crime.”

Police operatives also arrested a suspect, Shedrack John, for allegedly aiding kidnappers by providing medical services to injured bandits in the forest as well as other suspects, Auwal Hassan, and Auwal Ahmed Auwal Adamu.

The Force spokesman assured that the police leadership, under IGP Kayode Egbetokun, remained steadfast in its resolve to uphold the rule of law, ensure the safety and security of all citizens, and combat criminal activities across the country.