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The Nigeria Immigration Service, Adamawa State Command, has arrested two men suspected of belonging to a kidnapping syndicate and recovered ₦34 million in cash during an intelligence-led operation.
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The suspects, identified as 55-year-old Alhaji Jaye and 34-year-old Buba Bello, were apprehended on September 6, 2026, as the security agency intensified efforts to disrupt criminal networks operating in the state.
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Preliminary questioning reportedly linked the recovered N34 million to a ransom payment for the release of Buba Bello’s brother.
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The NIS also intercepted 17 irregular migrants during a separate operation at Rumde Baru in Yola South Local Government Area. The migrants were discovered in a private three-bedroom residence following credible intelligence.
September 09, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Adamawa State Command, has arrested two suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and recovered ₦34 million in cash believed to have been earmarked as ransom.
The arrests, which took place on September 6, 2026, followed an intelligence-driven operation by officers of the command as part of efforts to strengthen internal security and disrupt criminal activities in the state.
The suspects were identified as 55-year-old Alhaji Jaye and 34-year-old Buba Bello.
According to the NIS, preliminary questioning conducted after their arrest indicated that the recovered cash was intended for the payment of ransom to secure the release of Buba Bello’s brother.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping, including the identity of the person being held and those behind the abduction, were not immediately disclosed by the service.
However, the recovery of the substantial amount of cash and the arrest of the two suspects are expected to provide investigators with leads that could help unravel the wider network allegedly involved in the kidnapping operation.
Following the arrests, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service directed that the suspects, alongside the recovered ₦34 million, be handed over to the Adamawa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
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NIS Intercepts 17 Irregular Migrants
In a separate operation, the Adamawa State Command of the NIS intercepted 17 irregular migrants at Rumde Baru in Yola South Local Government Area.
The migrants were discovered in a private three-bedroom residence following credible intelligence received by immigration officers.
Preliminary profiling established that 13 of those intercepted were Cameroonian nationals, comprising eight males and five females. The remaining four were identified as Chadian nationals, all of them male.
The NIS said the discovery was significant because it pointed to an emerging change in the accommodation pattern of undocumented migrants operating or staying within the state.
According to the Command, some irregular migrants are increasingly moving away from conventional accommodation facilities, including hotels, to private and unregistered apartments.
The shift, it said, presents an additional challenge to migration control and security surveillance because such private residences may be less visible to conventional monitoring mechanisms.
The NIS stressed that effective migration management remains critical to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity, particularly in a state such as Adamawa with extensive cross-border interactions.
The Adamawa Command said it would continue to strengthen migration management, border security and territorial protection in response to emerging security threats. It also urged its personnel to remain vigilant and ensure that relevant intelligence is promptly reported and acted upon.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
