Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued two victims, Godday Irieude and Wisdom Emeka, who were abducted from their farm in Ewatto area in Edo state.
Disclosing this in a statement on Monday, the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the rescue of the victims followed a coordinated operation conducted in synergy with local vigilante groups.
The operation brought he operatives in contact with the kidnappers who, upon sighting them, engaged them in a fierce gun duel. They were However overpowered by the superior fire power of the operatives which caused the kidnappers to flee with various degrees of gun shot injuries, leading to the rescue of the kidnapped victims unhurt.
Similarly, Police operatives attached to the Delta State Command, acting on credible intelligence and a search warrant, stormed a residence in Mosogar area occupied by two suspected cultists; Koko Josh (29) and Asomugha Clinton (27).
A thorough search of their premises lead to the recovery of 1 fabricated Baretta pistol loaded with two rounds of live ammunition, two locally made guns, eight live cartridges, multiple mobile phones, a laptop and fetish items.
Follow-up investigation led to the arrest of two additional suspects; Anthony Kelvin (26) and Gift Amotsuka (25) all confirmed to be members of Aiye Confraternity.
In a separate operation executed in Okpanam area of Delta State, police operatives arrested two suspects; Ekene Chroma (36) and Okafor Jonathan (18) in possession of two English-made single-barrel guns and 110 live cartridges. Preliminary investigations revealed their involvement in illegal arms dealing, acting as suppliers and couriers for wanted criminals.
In a separate operation in Funtua, Katsina State, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) apprehended one Yunusa Ishaku (40) in possession of two stolen vehicles (a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Camry).
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to his role in a nationwide vehicle theft ring targeting Abuja, Jos, and other cities, with stolen vehicles being conveyed to Niger Republic for resale.
He further revealed the locations of three additional stolen vehicles: Honda Accord, Toyota Carina II, Toyota Camry (98) in Zamfara and Bauchi States. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices and recover more stolen exhibits.
In another related development, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the FID-IRT arrested one Alhaji Iya Bima, a 52-year-old man from Kem Shithem LGA, Adamawa State in possession of One AK-47 rifle, 2 magazines and fifty rounds of live 7.62×39 mm ammunition. Further interrogation led to the recovery of additional Ak-47 rifle, 3 magazines and 50 rounds of ammunition.
Adejobi said all suspects would be arraigned before the court of law upon completion of investigation
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the resolve of the Nigeria Police Force to intensify intelligence-driven policing, disrupt criminal syndicates causing unrest across the country, even as the Force has urged members of the public to remain vigilant, support police operations, and report suspicious activities via dedicated emergency lines or to the nearest police station.
