The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) said it has again achieved significant breakthroughs in combating violent crimes with the arrest of suspected kidnappers and gun runners, recovery of arms and ammunition across several states.
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) said these successful operations, which were propelled by credible intelligence, demonstrated the commitment of the Force to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.
He said that on April 25, 2025, operatives of the FID Special Tactical Squad (STS) in collaboration with operatives of the Taraba State Police command, local hunters and vigilante group arrested four suspected kidnappers in Mararaban Abbare, Lau Local Government Area (L.G.A), while they were planning an operation.
He revealed that the suspects, identified as Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako, were found in possession of 2 AK-49 rifles, 1 AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Prior to this arrest, according to the police image maker, the operatives had earlier received intelligence on a group of kidnapping gang terrorizing Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau,Bauchi, and Kaduna States. “A successful raid conducted at the hideout of this gang led to the arrest of five suspected kidnappers. These suspects, identified as Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim,Solomon Nathaniel, Haruna Adamu were also found in possession of 3 AK-47 rifles, 1 AK-49 rifle, and 4 AK-47 magazines.”
In a similar development on April 17, 2025, he said that whole acting on intelligence, Police Operatives attached to Kaduna State Command apprehended one Isa Ibrahim, a suspected kidnapper, who confessed to relocating to Kaduna to establish a new gang after his accomplices were arrested in Kwara State.
“Equally on the same date, operatives of the Kaduna State Command mobilized a patrol team to Lamido village, Lere LGA, where two suspected kidnappers, Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji, were apprehended and both suspects confessed to involvement in kidnapping activities in the area.” Additionally, Adejobi said that on April 18, 2025, police operatives of the state, acting on received information about the activities of suspected gun runners, arrested 2 suspects identified as Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi, who were found in possession of two fabricated AK-47 rifles and later arrested one Ishiyaku Ali, along the Kauru-Pambegua Road of the state in possession of two locally-fabricated rifles and a long chain concealed in a sack.
The suspects, according to him would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has commended the efforts of these gallant operatives.
Egbetokun assured members of the public that the Force remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
He further urged the public to continue to support the police with credible and timely information of happenings in their environment.
