Eric Patrick
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 12 kidnappers, three gun runners and recovered arms in a series of intelligence-driven operations across different states.
The crackdown targeted criminal hideouts, kidnappers, gun runners, black spots across various states in Nigeria.
The arrests highlight the police force’s ongoing commitment to tackling criminal activities and ensuring internal security across the nation.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobion disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
On April 25, 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 L.G.A., while they were planning an operation.
The suspects, identified as Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako.
They 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, the operatives had earlier received intelligence on a group of kidnapping gang terrorising Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States.
The police conducted a raid at the hideout of this gang which led to the arrest of five suspected kidnappers.
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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, 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.
On the same date, operatives of the Kaduna State Command mobilised 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.
On April 18, police operatives of the state, arrested two suspected gun runners, 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.
According to the police, the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has assured members of the public that the Force remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
He urged the public to keep providing the police with reliable and timely information about events occurring in their surroundings.
