Troops Apprehend Notorious Gunrunner, Violent Extremist

Recover Arms, Ammunition and Cash

Troops apprehend notorious gunrunner, violent extremist and insurgents in Taraba state

As part of the Nigerian Army's 6 Brigade's ongoing efforts to prevent violent extremist groups and insurgents from using Taraba State as a safe haven, brave soldiers from the Brigade's 93 Battalion have successfully apprehended a notorious gunrunner who was trafficking weapons and ammunition to criminal elements in Taraba State and other regions of the nation.

Joshua Dutse Idah, a 45-year-old arms dealer, was tracked down by troops on January 20, 2024, in Ibi town, Ibi LGA, while traveling to Kaduna State in a blue Volkswagen Sharon with the license plate Rivers SKN-390AA. This was the result of credible intelligence on Idah's activities. During questioning, Dutse acknowledged that he had received a payment of 300,000 (three hundred thousand naira) and that he was traveling to Katsina State to import AK-47 rifles. 

Following a comprehensive examination of the vehicle, the soldiers found three AK 47 rifle magazines, one PK machine gun, and quantity 399 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition.

Furthermore, on January 25, 2024, information about the activities of radical organizations and insurgents in the Chanchanji and Sai communities, as well as their intentions to relocate to a drop zone where the relatives of victims who were abducted were instructed to deposit ransom money, was obtained from reliable sources. 

This information led to the deployment of troops at Chanchanji, where they waited in the suspected area until around 10:00 am. It was then that 31-year-old Janet Igohia was taken into custody after accepting N1,500,000.00, which was only used as ransom for the victim who had been kidnapped.

Read: Troops Capture A Female Kidnapper Trying To Pick Ransom In Taraba

According to Janet Igohia, she is currently married to Gata, a renowned criminal and the late Gana Terwase's second in command. Right now, in southern Taraba, she is married to the head of a violent extremist group.

She stated to have previously been married to well-known criminals, including the late Terkibi Gemaga, also known as Mopol, a renowned kidnapper who was killed by the military five years ago.