The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 13 suspected kidnappers and recovered a cache of weapons following a series of successful operations aimed at tackling criminal activities across the country.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, emphasizing the police’s unwavering commitment to internal security.
According to Adejobi, on March 11, 2025, at about 6:30 PM, operatives from the Intelligence Response Team were ambushed by armed kidnappers at Oshara Ganden, a boundary between Kogi and Edo States. However, the officers overpowered the attackers, leading to the arrest of eight suspects.
“The arrested individuals include Tukur Salisu, Sani Abubakar, Mamud Sani, Umar Abdullahi, Salisu Mohammed, Salisu Usman, Bashir Audu, and Jibril Haruna,” Adejobi stated.
Recovered from them were an AK-47 rifle with 29 rounds of live ammunition, an Israeli-made pump-action rifle with four cartridges, two pump-action rifles loaded with 72 cartridges, a single-barrel shotgun with two cartridges, and two motorcycles used for their operations.
In another operation on January 27, 2025, police operatives arrested Yakubu Musa, 30, and Usman Musa, 25, in Kaduna State. The duo was linked to several kidnapping and cattle rustling incidents in the Soba and Ikara areas. Three AK-47 rifles and 19 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them.
Similarly, on January 21, 2025, security forces apprehended three more suspects—Abubakar Lawan (24), Isiaku Abdullahi (35), and Abbas Maisaude (26)—for conspiracy, illegal possession of firearms, and kidnapping.
“These suspects have confessed to being involved in multiple kidnapping operations across Rijana, Lambata, Dandume, and Ugama in Kaduna and Niger States,” Adejobi said.
Weapons recovered from them included an AK-49 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, and 28 rounds of live ammunition.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their bravery and reiterated the police’s commitment to maintaining law and order.
“The Force remains resolute in its mission to protect citizens, uphold the rule of law, and take decisive action against criminal elements,” Adejobi assured.
The police urged the public to provide timely information to support security efforts, warning criminals that there will be no hiding place for them in Nigeria.
