The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 12 suspected kidnappers and three alleged gun-runners, recovering a cache of firearms and ammunition as part of its ongoing efforts to curb violent crime and enhance internal security.
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, police spokesperson, in a statement yesterday said the successful operations were carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (STS) in collaboration with state police commands, local hunters, and vigilante groups.
He said on 25 April, four suspected kidnappers were apprehended in Mararaban Abbare, Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State, while reportedly planning a fresh operation.
The suspects—Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako—were found in possession of two AK-49 rifles, one AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition.
The arrests followed intelligence reports linking the group to a broader kidnapping network operating across Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna states.
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A follow-up raid on the gang’s hideout led to the arrest of five more suspects: Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim, Solomon Nathaniel, and Haruna Adamu. Officers recovered three AK-47 rifles, one AK-49 rifle, and four magazines during the operation.
In a related development in Kaduna State on 17 April, police arrested Isa Ibrahim, a suspected kidnapper who allegedly fled to the state to regroup and form a new gang after his previous accomplices were detained in Kwara State.
On the same day, operatives in Lere Local Government Area apprehended two more suspects, Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji, both of whom reportedly confessed to involvement in recent kidnappings in the area.
Further police action on 18 April targeted illegal arms dealers. Two suspects, Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi, were arrested in possession of fabricated AK-47 rifles. Another man, Ishiyaku Ali, was caught along the Kauru-Pambegua Road with two locally-made rifles and a long chain hidden in a sack.
The police confirmed that all suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, praised the operatives for their dedication and reiterated the Force’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.
He also called on the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support police efforts.
