The Nigeria Police Force has arrested suspected kidnappers and gun runners, while it also recovered arms across several states.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday, April 29.
He said that the successful operations, propelled by credible intelligence, demonstrated the commitment of the Force in ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.
The FPRO stated: “On April 25, 2025, 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 Local Government Area while they were planning an operation.
“The suspects, identified as Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako, were found in possession of two AK-49 rifles, one 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 kidnap gang terrorising Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna states.
“A successful raid conducted at the hideout of this gang led to the arrest of suspected kidnappers.
“These suspects, identified as Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim, Solomon Nathaniel and Haruna Adamu, were also found in possession of three AK-47 rifles, one AK-49 rifle, and four AK-47 magazines.”
Further in the statement, the FPRO disclosed that in a similar development, on April 17, police operatives attached to Kaduna State Command apprehended one Isa Ibrahim, a suspected kidnapper.
The suspect was said to have confessed to relocating to Kaduna to establish a new gang after his accomplices were arrested in Kwara State.
Also, 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.
Both suspects confessed to involvement in kidnapping activities in the area, ACP Adejobi said.
Additionally, on April 18, 2025, police operatives of the state, acting on received information about the activities of suspected gun runners, arrested two suspects identified as Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi.
The Force spokesman said that the suspects were found in possession of two fabricated AK-47 rifles.
He added that one Ishiyaku Ali was later arrested along the Kauru-Pambegua Road of the state in possession of two locally-fabricated rifles and a long chain concealed in a sack.
He said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Commending the efforts of the gallant operatives, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, assured members of the public that the Force would remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
The IGP urged the public to continue supporting the police with credible and timely information of happenings in their environment.
