The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of 13 individuals suspected of kidnapping, following a series of operations conducted across several states. The operations resulted in the recovery of a significant arsenal, including 11 assorted rifles, 89 rounds of live ammunition of various calibers, and operational motorcycles.
The arrests underscore the police’s persistent efforts to combat criminal activities and bolster national security.
According to a statement released by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, operatives from the Intelligence Response Team successfully thwarted an ambush and apprehended eight armed kidnappers along the Kogi-Edo State border on March 11, 2025.
“On March 11, 2025, at approximately 6:30 PM, IRT operatives were en route to Edo State when they encountered an ambush at Oshara Ganden. Demonstrating exceptional tactical skills, the operatives overpowered the armed assailants, leading to the arrest of eight individuals,” the statement detailed.
The arrested suspects, identified as Tukur Salisu, Sani Abubakar, Mamud Sani, Umar Abdullahi, Salisu Mohammed, Salisu Usman, Bashir Audu, and Jibril Haruna, were found in possession of an AK-47 rifle with 29 rounds of live ammunition, a new Israeli pump-action rifle with four cartridges, two pump-action rifles with 72 cartridges, a single-barrel shotgun with two cartridges, and two operational motorcycles.
In a separate operation conducted on January 27, 2025, two suspected kidnappers, Yakubu Musa (30) and Usman Musa (25), both from Kaduna State, were apprehended based on intelligence linking them to kidnappings and cattle rustling in the Soba and Ikara regions. Three AK-47 rifles and 19 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from these suspects.
Furthering their crackdown, on January 21, 2025, police arrested three additional suspects, Abubakar Lawan (24), Isiaku Abdullahi (35), and Abbas Maisaude (26), for criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, and kidnapping. These suspects confessed to involvement in multiple abductions across Rijana, Lambata, Dandume, and Ugama in Kaduna and Niger States, and the police seized an AK-49 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, and 28 rounds of live ammunition.
The statement reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to eradicating criminal activity and ensuring the safety of citizens.
“These successful operations highlight our relentless dedication to safeguarding lives and property. There will be no sanctuary for criminals in Nigeria,” Adejobi stated.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the officers for their bravery and reaffirmed the force’s commitment to proactive security measures.
“We will continue to take decisive action against criminal elements and ensure that justice prevails. The safety of Nigerians remains our top priority,” the IG assured.
The police urged the public to provide timely and accurate information to aid security agencies, emphasizing that community cooperation is vital in the fight against crime.
