In a decisive show of strength and coordination, the Nigeria Police Force, in synergy with other security agencies, has made commendable progress in its nationwide clampdown on violent crime, recording significant achievements in Delta and Katsina States. These latest operations, carried out with precision and guided intelligence, have led to the rescue of multiple kidnapped victims, the neutralization of criminal elements, and the recovery of a considerable cache of illegal weapons.
In Katsina State, a daring operation by the Joint Task Force (JTF), which includes officers of the Nigeria Police and allied security agencies, yielded a major breakthrough on Saturday, June 8, 2025. The operatives, while conducting a patrol along the Danmusa Mara Dangeza village road in Danmusa Local Government Area, encountered a group of armed bandits attempting to escape with abducted persons. A fierce exchange of gunfire ensued, during which the security forces overpowered the attackers. The bandits, some believed to have sustained bullet wounds, fled the scene, abandoning their captives. The swift response led to the safe rescue of eleven victims without any injury.
In Delta State, the relentless efforts of the Police have continued to bear fruit. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives attached to the Commissioner of Police’s Special Assignment Team apprehended one Abubakar Hassan, aged 30, identified as a key figure in a kidnapping ring notorious for its operations across Delta, Rivers, Imo, and Enugu States. Under interrogation, Hassan confessed to orchestrating multiple abductions along the Ughelli-Ozoro axis. He later led officers to a concealed hideout deep within a forest in Ozoro, where the police recovered two AK-47 rifles, four loaded magazines, and thirty-two rounds of live ammunition. This breakthrough follows earlier arrests of three suspected accomplices linked to the same gang, pointing to a broader effort to dismantle the network.
Additionally, Delta State Police officers attached to the Safer Highway Patrol recorded another success during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Ughelli road. Their vigilance led to the interception of a suspicious vehicle, and a thorough search revealed a locally fabricated revolver, a pump-action single-barrel rifle, and fifteen live cartridges. The driver, identified as 38-year-old Obi Ezekiel, was taken into custody and is currently assisting police investigations.
Commending the officers involved in these operations, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, praised their courage, professionalism, and commitment to duty. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the current momentum and urged all commands and tactical units across the country to remain vigilant and proactive in the collective fight against all forms of violent crimes.
The IGP reiterated the unwavering resolve of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that no part of the nation becomes a sanctuary for criminal elements. He reassured Nigerians that the Police, in continued collaboration with sister agencies, will not relent until peace and security are restored in all troubled regions.
