The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 12 suspected kidnappers and three gun-runners in a series of coordinated operations across multiple states, recovering a cache of firearms and ammunition.According to a statement issued Tuesday by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the arrests followed credible intelligence and joint efforts involving police commands, local vigilantes, and hunters.
On April 25, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), working with the Taraba State Police Command, apprehended four suspected kidnappers—Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako in Mararaban Abbare, Lau LGA of Taraba State, while allegedly plotting a kidnap operation. Recovered from them were two AK-49 rifles, one AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Earlier intelligence had led to the arrest of five other kidnapping suspects Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim, Solomon Nathaniel, and Haruna Adamu linked to criminal activities across Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States. Police recovered three AK-47 rifles, one AK-49 rifle, and four magazines during the operation.
In Kaduna, on April 17, officers arrested suspected kidnapper Isa Ibrahim, who reportedly admitted plans to form a new gang following the arrest of his former associates in Kwara. That same day, two more suspects Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji were nabbed in Lamido village, Lere LGA, also confessing to kidnapping crimes.
In a related April 18 operation, police apprehended two suspected gun-runners, Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi, in possession of fabricated AK-47 rifles. Another suspect, Ishiyaku Ali, was later arrested along the Kauru-Pambegua Road with two locally made rifles and a long chain hidden in a sack.
All suspects will be prosecuted upon conclusion of investigations.
Commending the operatives, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun reaffirmed the Force’s dedication to protecting lives and property nationwide.
