KADUNA, Nigeria — The Nigerian police have arrested Ibrahim Abdullahi, also known as “Mandi,” the notorious leader of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack and the abduction and murder of students at Greenfield University.
The announcement was made on Thursday, May 2, 2024, by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesman for the command, during a suspect parade in Kaduna.
According to Adejobi, the operation that led to Mandi’s arrest also resulted in the seizure of 48 AK-47 rifles. The police are currently investigating to identify his weapons supplier and sponsor.
“The Nigeria Police Force, under the astute leadership of Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, continues to make significant strides in combating crime and ensuring the safety and security of citizens in the country,” ACP Adejobi stated in a press release.
The press release detailed several measures, including the strategic deployment of helicopters as escorts for trains on the Abuja-Kaduna route, which have enhanced security and served as a deterrent to criminal activities.
The efforts have led to the arrest of numerous suspects involved in various crimes across the state from January 2024 to date.
“One of the major cases is the arrest of one Ibrahim Abdullahi, aka MANDE at Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover by Rido Junction,” the statement continued.
“The suspect confessed to being the leader of a kidnap syndicate terrorizing Kaduna-Abuja highway, ranked among other criminals like Dogo Gide and Bello Turji. He had participated in various kidnapping incidents including the kidnapping incident at Greenfield University and he partook in almost all the kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.”
Further detailing the March 28, 2022, incident, the police spokesperson revealed that “Ibrahim, alongside one Auwal Ayuba who was also paraded for kidnapping, and one Babangida Alhaji Bello were part of the armed group that attacked the train on its way from Abuja in the Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna State, with several persons killed and others abducted.”
IGP Egbetokun has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, stressing that the force will replicate these successful interventions across the country.
“The Inspector General of Police has reaffirmed the dedication of the Nigeria Police Force to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. He emphasised that the Force is committed to replicating these successful intervention and operations across the country to ensure that movement from one part of the country to another does not become challenging due to the activities of criminal elements in the society,” Adejobi concluded.
