As part of its commitment to ensure the safety and security of citizens, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has recorded another outstanding achievement in their fight against violent crimes with the arrest of some suspected kidnappers and gun runners as well as recovery of arms across several states of the country.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed this in a statement on Tuesday where he explained how credible intelligence played a significant role in bringing to book various suspects.
One notable operation of the Force operatives is the arrest of four suspected kidnappers while planning on an operation in Taraba State through the combined efforts of operatives of the FID Special Tactical Squad (STS), Taraba State Police Command Operatives, local hunters and vigilante groups.
The suspects, identified as Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako, were said to be armed with dangerous weapons including two AK-49 rifles, 1 AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Adejobi noted that hints from credible intelligence regarding kidnapping group gangs terrorizing Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States led to a raid at their hideout, leading to the arrest of five suspected kidnappers identified as Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim,Solomon Nathaniel, Haruna Adamu, who were also in possession of Arms.
According to Adejobi, “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 L.G.A., while they were planning an operation.
“The suspects, identified as Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako, were found in possession of 2 AK-49 rifles, 1 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 kidnapping gang terrorizing Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau,Bauchi, and Kaduna States.
“A successful raid conducted at the hideout of this gang led to the arrest of five suspected kidnappers. These suspects, identified as Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim,Solomon Nathaniel, Haruna Adamu were also found in possession of 3 AK-47 rifles, 1 AK-49 rifle, and 4 AK-47 magazines.
More so, in a similar development, Kaduna State Police Command Operatives, acting on credible Intel apprehended a suspected kidnapper, Isa Ibrahim, who confessed to relocating to Kaduna to establish a new gang, after his partners were arrested in Kwara State.
The operatives also recorded apprehending two suspected kidnappers, Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji at Lamido village, Lere Local Government Area of the State by a mobilized patrol team with both confessing to be involved in kidnapping activities in the area.
Adejobi stated, “In a similar development on April 17, 2025, acting on intelligence, Police Operatives attached to Kaduna State Command apprehended one Isa Ibrahim, a suspected kidnapper, who confessed to relocating to Kaduna to establish a new gang after his accomplices were arrested in Kwara State.
“Equally on the same date, operatives of the Kaduna State Command mobilized a patrol team to Lamido village, Lere LGA, where two suspected kidnappers, Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji, were apprehended and both suspects confessed to involvement in kidnapping activities in the area.
Furthermore, Operatives in Kaduna State also brought to book two suspected gun runners identified as Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi, who were found armed with two fabricated AK-47 rifles with a later arrest of one Ishiyaku Ali along the Kauru-Pambegua Road of the state who was said to possess two locally-fabricated rifles and a long chain concealed in a sack.
“Additionally, on April 18, 2025, police operatives of the state, acting on received information about the activities of suspected gun runners, arrested 2 suspects identified as Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi, who were found in possession of two fabricated AK-47 rifles and later arrested one Ishiyaku Ali, along the Kauru-Pambegua Road of the state in possession of two locally-fabricated rifles and a long chain concealed in a sack,” He stated.
“The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” Adejobi added.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commends the efforts of the operatives and assures the public of the Force commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.
He further urges the public to support the police more by providing credible and timely information of happenings in their surroundings.
