How Police Killed Nine Terrorists, Recovered Arms, Ammunition
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
Luck ran out on a group of armed gunmen, following a gun duel with police operatives at Tundafari Forest in the Dakingari axis of Kebbi state.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Sunday, disclosed how operatives, intensified operational strategies which led the elimination of the armed kidnappers and other criminal elements across the country.
Adejobi disclosed that the armed men invaded Gobiraje village in Kebbi state on Friday, 14th February, and kidnapped a resident of the village, Umaru Bawa. Upon the receipt of the report, police operatives attached to the Kebbi state command, trailed the suspects to Tundafari Forest in the Dakingari axis of the state and engaged them in a fierce gun duel.
Consequently, 4 of the kidnappers were neutralized and 1 arrested with fatal injuries while the kidnapped victim was rescued unhurt. The operatives also recovered the cash sum of Three Million Naira (N3,000,000) already paid to the kidnappers as ransom.
Earlier, on February 8, 2025, in Imo state, operatives of the Imo State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies carried out a tactical operation targeting an IPOB/ESN terrorist camp located in Ezioha Mbaitolu within the Umuele Umuaka Njaba LGA of the state.
The operation led to the neutralization of 2 ESN kingpins, the recovery of 7 AK-47 rifles, 13 pump-action guns, hundreds of assorted live ammunition, and the successful dislodgement of the camp.
As a follow up, on February 9 2025, the operatives moved to the Nkwukwo Forest in Mbaitoli LGA, at the boundary with Ubachima Forest in Awomama Oru West LGA, Imo State, where the team intercepted a group of terrorists who opened fire upon sighting the police.
During the ensuing exchange, 3 terrorist kingpins were further neutralized, 2 AK-47 rifles each loaded with 36 rounds of live ammunition, 1 pump-action gun, 1 cutlass, 4 motorcycles, and various criminal charms were as well recovered.
While assuring members of the public that these operations will continue with renewed vigour as it strives to ensure a safer environment for all Nigerians, the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, has called for increased intelligence gathering, community engagement, and prompt reporting of suspicious activities by citizens, even with as the Force remains committed to protecting lives and property, reinforcing community trust, and fostering a peaceful and secure nation.
