Police rescue kidnap victims, arrest eight suspects in coordinated crackdown on crimes, criminals

The Nigeria Police Force has again recorded significant successes in the fight against cultism, violent crimes, gunrunning, and kidnapping across Delta, Katsina, Adamawa and Edo states.

ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, said this on Sunday in a statement.

He said that in Edo State, two individuals – Godday Irieude and Wisdom Emeka – were abducted from their farm in the Ewatto area around 1am.

“Police operatives in synergy with local vigilante groups trailed the abductors to their hideout and launched a coordinated rescue operation. The kidnappers engaged police operatives in a fierce gun duel. However, the superior fire power of the operative caused the kidnappers to flee with various degrees of gunshot injury, leading to the rescue of the kidnapped victims unhurt.”

The FPRO also mentioned that policemen attached to the Delta State Command, acting on credible intelligence and a search warrant, stormed a residence in the 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 the 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.”

Adejobi added that 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), adding that 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, two magazines and 50 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,” the FPRO added,

He noted that all suspects would be arraigned before the court of law upon completion of investigation

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, once again reaffirms the resolve of the Nigeria Police Force to intensify intelligence-driven policing, disrupt criminal syndicates causing unrest across the country. The Force urges members of the public to remain vigilant, support police operations, and report suspicious activities via dedicated emergency lines or to the nearest police station,” Adejobi stated.