In a statement released on Monday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that the Nigeria Police Force had arrested 13 suspected kidnappers and recovered a cache of weapons, motorcycles, and other items during multiple operations across the country.
Adejobi said that on March 11 at around 6:30 p.m., police officers from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) were on their way to Edo State when they were ambushed by armed kidnappers at Oshara Ganden, a border area between Kogi and Edo States.
The Force spokesperson said that the operatives overpowered the attackers and arrested eight suspects, including Tukur Salisu, Sani Abubakar, Mamud Sani, Umar Abdullahi, Salisu Mohammed, Salisu Usman, Bashir Audu, and Jibril Haruna.
In a separate operation on January 27, Adejobi said, IRT operatives, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a 30-year-old Yakubu Musa and 25-year-old Usman Musa, both from Kaduna State.
The two were connected to several cases of kidnapping and cattle rustling in the Soba and Ikara regions of the state, he said, adding that security operatives recovered a substantial arsenal that included one AK-47 rifle with 29 rounds of live ammunition, one 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.
Additionally, three suspects—26-year-old Abbas Maisaude, 35-year-old Isiaku Abdullahi, and 24-year-old Abubakar Lawan—were apprehended on January 21 following another operation. The accused were taken into custody on charges of criminal conspiracy, illegal gun ownership, and involvement in kidnappings in the Kaduna and Niger States’ Rijana, Lambata, Dandume, and Ugama.
According to Adejobi, the suspects were found to have 28 rounds of live ammo, two AK-47 weapons, and one AK-49 rifle. Investigations and efforts to apprehend other gang members who are still at large are ongoing, he said.
Adejobi added, “To those who choose a life of crime, the Force is resolute in its mission to attain justice. There will be no sanctuary for criminals in Nigeria.”
“The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has commended the operatives for their bravery and dedication, emphasising the importance of continued vigilance and proactive measures in maintaining law and order.”
“The Force remains resolute in its mission to protect citizens, uphold the rule of law and assure the public that it will continue to take decisive action against criminal elements.”
