Nigerian police have apprehended the masterminds behind the kidnapping and murder of students from Greenfield University, as well as abductions along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, authorities announced on Thursday.

Among those arrested is Ibrahim Abdullahi, known as Mande, a notorious terrorist leader who orchestrated and participated in the Greenfield University attack and many of the kidnappings on the Abuja-Kaduna road. Mande was captured based on credible intelligence at the Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover by Rido Junction in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi, Mande has confessed to leading a kidnapping syndicate that terrorized the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, ranking among infamous bandits like Dogo Gide and Bello Turji.

Police have also apprehended another kidnapping gang leader, Yakubu Saidu, who masterminded the September 2023 attack on Saint Raphael Catholic Church in Fadan Kamantan. In that attack, a seminarian named Stephen Naaman was killed when the priest’s residence was set ablaze, and a vehicle and motorcycle worth millions of naira were destroyed.

Other arrests include Shedrack John, who allegedly provided medical aid to injured kidnappers in forest hideouts, as well as Auwal Hassan and Auwal Ahmed Auwal Adamu.

“These recent achievements underscore the zeal of the Force in fulfilling our mandate of protecting lives and property,” Adejobi stated. He vowed the Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun’s leadership remains committed to upholding the rule of law and combating criminal activities nationwide through special intervention squads.

The Force spokesman thanked the public for their support and cooperation, saying “Together, we will build safer communities and strive towards a Nigeria where all individuals can live without fear of crime or violence.”