Police Arrest 13 Kidnappers In Kogi-Edo States Boundary, Recover Assorted Weapons
The Force spokesperson said that the operatives overpowered the assailants and arrested eight suspects.
The Nigeria Police Force has said that its operatives in multiple operations across the country arrested 13 suspected kidnappers and recovered a cache of weapons, motorcycles, and other items.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the operations in a statement released on Monday.
Adejobi stated that on March 11, at approximately 6:30pm, police operatives from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) were en route to Edo State when they encountered an ambush by armed kidnappers at Oshara Ganden, a boundary area between Kogi and Edo States.
The Force spokesperson said that the operatives overpowered the assailants and arrested eight suspects.
He listed the arrested suspects to include; Tukur Salisu, Sani Abubakar, Mamud Sani, Umar Abdullahi, Salisu Mohammed, Salisu Usman, Bashir Audu, and Jibril Haruna.
He said that the police operatives recovered a substantial arsenal, including one AK-47 rifle with 29 rounds of live ammunition, one new Israeli pump-action rifle with four cartridges, two pump-action rifles with 72 cartridges, a single-barrel shotgun with two cartridges, and two operational motorcycles.
In a separate operation conducted on January 27, Adejobi stated that IRT operatives, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a 30-year-old Yakubu Musa and 25-year-old Usman Musa, both from Kaduna State.
The duo were linked to multiple cases of kidnapping and cattle rustling in the Soba and Ikara regions of the state, according to the statement.
The police spokesperson noted that during their arrest, security operatives recovered three AK-47 rifles and 19 rounds of live ammunition, further confirming their involvement in criminal activities.
Also, on January 21, another operation led to the arrest of three suspects identified as 24-year-old Abubakar Lawan, 35-year-old Isiaku Abdullahi, and 26-year-old Abbas Maisaude.
The suspects were arrested for alleged criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, and involvement in kidnapping activities across Rijana, Lambata, Dandume, and Ugama in Kaduna and Niger States.
Adejobi stated that the police recovered one AK-49 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, and 28 rounds of live ammunition from the suspects.
He said that investigations and efforts are ongoing to arrest other gang members still at large.
Adejobi added, “To those who choose a life of crime, the Force is resolute in its mission to attain justice. There will be no sanctuary for criminals in Nigeria.
“The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has commended the operatives for their bravery and dedication, emphasising the importance of continued vigilance and proactive measures in maintaining law and order.
“The Force remains resolute in its mission to protect citizens, uphold the rule of law and assure the public that it will continue to take decisive action against criminal elements.”
