The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has rescued ten kidnap victims, recovered stolen arms and arrested notorious criminal suspects across the country.
According to a press release issued on Sunday by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, the successes underscore the Force’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians.
According to the Police, on April 19, 2025, operatives of the Faskari Division under the Katsina State Police Command foiled a kidnap attempt along the Funtua-Gusau highway.
“Acting swiftly on a tip-off, officers engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing the criminals to flee with bullet wounds.
“Ten victims including two drivers and eight passengers were rescued unharmed and later reunited with their families”, it added.
The Police also noted that in Taraba State, Umar Ahmad, a notorious criminal, aged 40, was arrested on April 18, 2025, at a roadblock in Jalingo by operatives of the State Intelligence Department (SID) in collaboration with local vigilantes.
The Force disclosed that Ahmad, who had been on the Police wanted list for several months, led investigators to Mayo Faran Village, a border town between Taraba and Adamawa States.
“A search operation there uncovered two AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, and 39 rounds of live ammunition.
“Notably, one of the rifles was identified as belonging to the Taraba State Police Command, stolen during a deadly 2023 ambush that claimed the life of ASP Aminu Nuhu of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad”, the statement read.
In another operation in Anambra State, officers attached to the Fegge Divisional Headquarters intercepted a suspicious shuttle bus parked along Port Harcourt Road, Upper Iweka, Onitsha, on April 17, 2025.
“A search revealed five pump-action guns, eight live cartridges, and two handcuffs hidden inside a bag of rice. The bus has been subjected to forensic examination as efforts continue to track down the suspects.
“On the same day, around 1:27 PM, the Rapid Response Squad and Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Anambra arrested 25-year-old Israel Akachukwu at his residence on Ezeigwe Street, Nkpor, Idemili North LGA.
“A raid on his apartment led to the recovery of two pump-action guns, two live cartridges, a cutlass, a yellow axe, and a dagger”, it added.
The suspect reportedly confessed to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity and would be assisting Police investigations to apprehend other gang members.
Commending the officers involved, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) praised their professionalism and quick action.
He reaffirmed the Force’s unwavering dedication to crime prevention and internal security, emphasising the importance of intelligence-led policing in achieving these results.
The Police also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to law enforcement agencies to help combat crime across the country.
