Police Arrest 13 Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Assorted Ammunition
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Nigeria Police says its operatives have apprehended 13 kidnappers and recovered assorted rifles and ammunition of various calibers.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Monday said the arrests and recoveries were as a result of multiple diligent operations in its effort to enhance internal security and combat criminal activities across the nation.
He explained that operatives from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), on 11th March, while on their way to Edo on assignment, encountered an ambush set by armed kidnappers at Oshara Ganden, a boundary area between Kogi and Edo States.
The operatives overpowered the armed assailants, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals identified as Tukur Salisu, Sani Abubakar, Mamud Sani, Umar Abdullahi, Salisu Mohammed, Salisu Usman, Bashir Audu, and Jibril Haruna.
Recovered from them were significant weaponry, including one AK-47 rifle with 29 rounds of live ammunition, one new Israeli pump action rifle with 4 cartridges, two pump action rifles with 72 cartridges, a single barrel shotgun with 2 cartridges, and two operational motorcycles.
In a separate operation on January 27, 2025, IRT operatives acted on credible intelligence to arrest Yakubu Musa, 30, and Usman Musa, 25, both from Kaduna State.
“These suspects were linked to series of kidnappings and cattle rustling activities in the Soba and Ikara regions of the State. During their arrest, three AK-47 rifles and 19 rounds of live ammunition were recovered, further substantiating their involvement in criminal activities”, Adejobi said.
Additionally, on January 21, 2025, three suspects—Abubakar Lawan (24), Isiaku Abdullahi (35), and Abbas Maisaude (26), were apprehended for criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, and kidnapping.
According to Adejobi, the suspects confessed to participating in multiple kidnapping incidents across Rijana, Lambata, Dandume, and Ugama in Kaduna and Niger States. Recovered from them were one AK-49 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, and 28 rounds of live ammunition. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend additional members of their gang.
While urging citizens to support the police by providing timely and accurate information, as their cooperation is vital in the fight against crime, Adejobi warned hose who choose a life of crime, that “the Force is resolute in its mission to attain justice. There will be no sanctuary for criminals in Nigeria”.
