Nigeria Kidnap Kingpin Rearrested

A high profile kidnapper whose escape from police custody culminated in the deaths of three policemen and a civilian has been rearrested. Hamisu Bala Wadume was being transported from his hideout in north-eastern Taraba state to police headquarters when their vehicle was fired upon by some military personnel.

This led to a serious tension between the police and the army with the latter being accused of complacency. The army rebutted the accusation reporting that they were of the highest conviction that the vehicle were filled with only kidnappers.

#ProvideAnswersNigerianArmy pic.twitter.com/uCDAjMLV1e

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) August 8, 2019

Upon his arrest, Wadume appeared in a police video admitting the military played a part in his escape. After the police men were killed, the military men came to his rescue. He was sent to an army base and his handcuffs cut off. He was then allowed to flee to Kano where he was eventually arrested.

Police rearrest notorious kidnap kingpin Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wudume. pic.twitter.com/ubFdMErLTc

— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) August 20, 2019

My name is Hamisu Bala Wadume. Policemen came to Ibi and arrested me. They were taking me away, when soldiers shot at their vehicles. Some policemen lost their lives in the process. Then they [the soldiers] took me to their military headquarters and cut my handcuffs. Since then I have been hiding before the police re-arrested me.

Hamisu Bala Wadume’s confession in Hausa translated into English