The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 12 suspected kidnappers and three gun-runners in a series of coordinated operations across several states, recovering a significant cache of arms and ammunition.
According to a statement issued on April 29, 2025, by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operations were driven by credible intelligence and carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (STS) in collaboration with the Taraba State Police Command, local hunters, and vigilante groups.
On April 25, operatives arrested four suspects—Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako—in Mararaban Abbare, Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State, while allegedly planning a kidnapping operation. The suspects were found in possession of two AK-49 rifles, one AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Earlier intelligence had led to a raid on the hideout of a kidnapping gang operating in Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States. The raid resulted in the arrest of five suspects: Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim, Solomon Nathaniel, and Haruna Adamu. Police recovered three AK-47 rifles, one AK-49 rifle, and four AK-47 magazines from the suspects.
In a related operation on April 17, police operatives in Kaduna State arrested a suspected kidnapper, Isa Ibrahim, who confessed to relocating to Kaduna to establish a new gang after his former accomplices were arrested in Kwara State. On the same day, a patrol team apprehended two more suspects, Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji, in Lamido village, Lere LGA. Both suspects reportedly confessed to involvement in kidnapping activities.
The police also recorded a breakthrough against arms trafficking in Kaduna. On April 18, two suspected gun-runners, Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi, were arrested with two fabricated AK-47 rifles. Another suspect, Ishiyaku Ali, was later arrested along the Kauru-Pambegua Road in possession of two locally-fabricated rifles and a long chain concealed in a sack.
ACP Adejobi noted that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their gallantry and reiterated the Force’s commitment to safeguarding citizens. He urged the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information.
