Police Operatives Foil Kidnappers’ Ambush, Arrest 13, Recover Arms in Kogi, Edo, Kaduna
In a series of coordinated operations, the Nigeria Police Force has arrested 13 suspected kidnappers and recovered a cache of weapons across Kogi, Edo, and Kaduna States, demonstrating its commitment to tackling criminal activities nationwide.
On March 11, 2025, operatives from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), while en route to Edo State, encountered an ambush at Oshara Ganden, a border area between Kogi and Edo States. In a swift and tactical response, the police overpowered the armed attackers, arresting eight suspected kidnappers. Those apprehended include Tukur Salisu, Sani Abubakar, Mamud Sani, Umar Abdullahi, Salisu Mohammed, Salisu Usman, Bashir Audu, and Jibril Haruna.
Similarly, a cache of weapons was recovered from the suspects, including one AK-47 rifle with 29 rounds of live ammunition, one Israeli pump-action rifle with four cartridges, two additional pump-action rifles with 72 cartridges, a single-barrel shotgun with two cartridges, and two operational motorcycles used for their activities.
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In a separate operation on January 27, 2025, IRT operatives arrested two individuals, Yakubu Musa, 30, and Usman Musa, 25, in Kaduna State. The suspects were linked to a series of kidnappings and cattle rustling incidents in Soba and Ikara areas. Police recovered three AK-47 rifles and 19 rounds of live ammunition from them.
Similarly, on January 21, 2025, police operatives apprehended three more suspects—Abubakar Lawan (24), Isiaku Abdullahi (35), and Abbas Maisaude (26)—for criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, and involvement in multiple kidnappings across Rijana, Lambata, Dandume, and Ugama in Kaduna and Niger States. Authorities recovered one AK-49 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, and 28 rounds of live ammunition from the group.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their bravery and urged citizens to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies by providing credible information. He assured the public of the police’s unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order, warning criminals that there will be no hiding place for them in Nigeria.
The police reaffirmed their dedication to protecting lives and property, vowing to intensify efforts against criminal elements across the country.
By PRNigeria
