The Nigeria Police has recorded a significant breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat crime and enhance internal security.
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, police spokesperson disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
He said in a series of coordinated operations, police operatives arrested 13 suspected kidnappers and and recovered 11 assorted rifles, 89 rounds of live ammunition, and several operational motorcycles.
Adejobi added that in a daring encounter on March 11, 2025, at approximately 6:30 PM, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) were en route to Edo State on a special assignment when they were ambushed by armed kidnappers at Oshara Ganden, a boundary between Kogi and Edo States.
According to him, the operatives swiftly countered the attack, overpowering the assailants and arresting eight suspects.
He said those apprehended include Tukur Salisu, Sani Abubakar, Mamud Sani, Umar Abdullahi, Salisu Mohammed, Salisu Usman, Bashir Audu, and Jibril Haruna.
Adejobi noted that the police recovered a cache of weapons, including an AK-47 rifle with 29 rounds of live ammunition, a new Israeli pump-action rifle with four cartridges, two additional pump-action rifles with 72 cartridges, a single-barrel shotgun with two cartridges, and two operational motorcycles.
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He said in a separate operation on January 27, 2025, IRT operatives, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two notorious kidnappers—Yakubu Musa (30) and Usman Musa (25)—both from Kaduna State.
He noted that the duo was linked to a series of kidnappings and cattle rustling incidents in the Soba and Ikara regions.
According to him, their arrest led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles and 19 rounds of live ammunition, confirming their involvement in criminal activities.
Adejobi said similarly, on January 21, 2025, three additional suspects—Abubakar Lawan (24), Isiaku Abdullahi (35), and Abbas Maisaude (26)—were apprehended for criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, and kidnapping.
He said the suspects confessed to participating in multiple kidnappings across Rijana, Lambata, Dandume, and Ugama in Kaduna and Niger States.
He said the police operatives recovered one AK-49 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, and 28 rounds of live ammunition.
“Investigations are ongoing to track down other members of their gang.”
Adejobi added that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their bravery and reaffirmed the police commitment to tackling crime nationwide.
He urged the public to support the police by providing timely and credible information, emphasizing that there will be no hiding place for criminals in Nigeria.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mission to protect lives and property, ensuring that justice prevails.
“Criminal elements are warned that law enforcement agencies will continue to take decisive action to dismantle their networks and uphold public safety.”
