A 27-year-old man, Joseph Babari, who was contracted to fight in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, has been arrested by the Gombe State Police Command.
The spokesperson of the command, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, who disclosed this in a statement at the weekend said the suspect was arrested by a police patrol team attached to the Pero-Chonge Division of Shongom Local Government Area of the state.
According to the PPRO, Babari confessed to having been contracted by one Isah to go to Bokkos to fight for a period of two months.
The suspect claimed to have been paid N180,000 for the job, which he had executed and was returning home before he was apprehended.
A locally fabricated automatic rifle, eight live rounds of ammunition, a locally made black vest and a bunch of charms were recovered from the suspect.
“On the 30th of April, 2025, at about 2330hrs, a Police Patrol team attached to Pero-Chonge Division Shangom LGA while on Stop and search along the border between Gombe State and Taraba state successfully apprehended the above mentioned suspect and was found in unlawful possession of a locally fabricated automatic rifle, eight live rounds of ammunition, locally made black vest and bunch of Charms,” the statement read.
“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect disclosed that he was travelling from Maikatako, Bokkos LGA of Plateau State, with the intention of reaching Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State.
“However, further investigation revealed that the suspect had been contracted as a fighter at the rate of one hundred and eighty thousand Naira (180,000) to operate in Bokkos LGA for a duration of two months by one Isah “M” whose surname remains unknown.
“The suspect is currently in police custody along with the recovered exhibits. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the source weapon.
“The Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, CP Bello Yahaya psc+ remains committed to maintaining peace, preventing the proliferation of illegal firearms, and ensuring the safety of all residents and urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest security agency.”
