Police arrest 27-year-old allegedly hired to fight in Plateau
The Gombe State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man, Joseph Babari, who was allegedly hired to fight in Plateau State.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, Babari was apprehended late Wednesday night by a police patrol team from the Pero-Chonge Division in Shongom Local Government Area.
The suspect was arrested during a stop-and-search operation along the Gombe–Taraba State border.
During questioning, Babari reportedly confessed that he had been contracted by an individual identified only as Isah to fight in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State for two months.
He claimed to have received N180,000 for the assignment and was returning home to Taraba when he was caught.
The police found Babari in possession of a locally made automatic rifle, eight rounds of live ammunition, a locally made black vest, and various charms.
Initial investigations revealed that Babari had been traveling from Maikatako in Bokkos LGA, Plateau, and was headed to Karim Lamido in Taraba State.
The suspect is currently in police custody along with the seized items, as further investigations are underway to trace the origin of the weapon and determine its intended use.
DSP Abdullahi reaffirmed the command’s commitment to curbing illegal arms and maintaining public safety.
He urged residents to stay alert and report any suspicious activity to security agencies.