Crime

Internal Security: Police Neutralize 7 Kidnap Suspects, Arrest 5 Armed Robbery Suspects, Recover Weapons and Stolen Vehicles

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 11th, 2025.

Internal Security: Police Neutralize 7 Kidnap Suspects, Arrest 5 Armed Robbery Suspects, Recover Weapons and Stolen Vehicles

As part of its continued efforts to safeguard lives and property across the country, the Nigeria Police Force has recorded notable achievements in the fight against crime. Through strategic, intelligence-driven operations and unwavering dedication, police operatives have successfully neutralized seven suspected kidnappers, arrested five armed robbery suspects, and recovered two AK-47 rifles and five stolen vehicles in separate operations across Delta and Kaduna States.

On June 4, 2025, acting on actionable intelligence, personnel from the Delta State Police Command, in collaboration with local vigilantes and anti-cult units, confronted a group of suspected kidnappers operating along the Abraka Railway axis. The confrontation resulted in a gun battle during which four of the suspects were neutralized. An AK-47 rifle and thirteen rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the scene.

In a separate operation on Ughelli-Patani Road, the Command’s CP-Special Assignment Team intercepted a shuttle bus near Ewhereni Junction. Upon spotting the officers, the occupants of the vehicle opened fire, prompting another exchange of gunfire. Three additional suspects were neutralized, and officers recovered an AK-47 rifle with eighteen rounds of live ammunition. Initial findings indicate that the group is part of a notorious kidnapping ring known for terrorizing residents within the state.

In a related development, the Kaduna State Police Command apprehended five members of a suspected armed robbery syndicate long active in the region. The operation followed the theft of a Toyota Hilux from the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on May 28, 2025. One of the suspects, Mohammed Kabir from Samaru Gusau in Zamfara State, was arrested after a high-speed chase near Zaria. His arrest led to the recovery of an abandoned Toyota Camry near the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Emmanuel Oliseh, who was found in possession of a stolen Honda CR-V taken from Abuja. Additionally, a 1998 Toyota Camry was recovered after three suspects—Ibrahim Bala, Abdulsalam Abdullahi, and Abdulraman Muktar—were intercepted. They later confessed to stealing the vehicle from Nasarawa State.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has commended the officers involved for their prompt and professional response. He emphasized the critical role of inter-agency cooperation and community engagement in addressing security challenges nationwide. The IGP further urged citizens to continue supporting law enforcement by providing timely and accurate information that could aid crime prevention and resolution.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI

Force Public Relations Officer

Force Headquarters, Abuja

9th June, 2025