No fewer than 25 military and police personnel have been arrested in connection with the killing of three policemen in the inspector general of police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and a civilian by soldiers in Taraba State, following the arrest of a kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Bala, aka Wadume, who was allegedly set free by the soldiers.
They were said to have been in league with the kidnap kingpin in his kidnapping business, which had reportedly fetched him millions of naira.
According to a source, Wadume maintained and oiled a machinery of security operatives, including police and military personnel across Taraba State which fed him with information on movements and location of victims for kidnapping.
They were also said to have fed the kidnapper with dossiers of those capable of paying ‘good’ ransom as well as possible hideouts and escape routes.
It was gathered that through tracking and interception facilities, investigators were able to discover conversations which gave out the roles of both the police and military personnel who had roles to play for the kingpin.
The source added that it was for these reasons that the kidnap kingpin was able to elude several attempts by the police authorities to arrest him in the many years that he has been on their wanted list.
“I can tell you that over 20 military and police personnel have been arrested since this investigation started.
They gave the kingpin coverage all these years the police have been looking for him.
This is the reason it has taken this long to get him,” said the source who pleaded anonymity.
It was also gathered that the investigating committee would meet in Taraba to question representatives of the military and police on the killing today.
It was gathered that that police and military officers to defend their agencies left for Taraba on Thursday.
They are to appear before the committee and give account of what actually transpired on the day the IRT personnel were killed.
Vanguard
