The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with sister security agencies, has rescued kidnapped victims and neutralised suspected kidnappers, including the recovery of a large cache of illegal firearms and ammunition.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday.

Adejobi stated that in Katsina State, a major success was recorded on June 8, 2025, when a combined JTF comprising Police operatives and other security agencies foiled a kidnap attempt along the Danmusa–Mara Dangeza village road in Danmusa LGA.

He said the team, while on patrol, was engaged in a fierce gun battle with a group of armed bandits attempting to flee with kidnapped victims.

"The operatives successfully overpowered the criminals, forcing them to flee with gunshot injuries and successfully rescued 11 victims unhurt," Adejobi said.

In Delta State, he said police operatives attached to the CP-Special Assignment Team, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Abubakar Hassan (30), a key suspect in a cross-state kidnapping syndicate operating within Delta, Rivers, Imo, and Enugu States.

"During interrogation, he confessed to leading operations along Ughelli-Ozoro axis and led police operatives to his hideout in a forest in Ozoro, where two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, and thirty-two rounds of live ammunition were recovered. This successful operation is linked to an earlier arrest of three other members of his kidnapping gang. Similarly, officers of the Safer Highway Patrol intercepted a vehicle during routine stop-and-search duties along Ughelli road. A thorough search led to the recovery of one locally fabricated revolver pump-action single-barrel rifle, fifteen rounds of live cartridges. The driver of the vehicle, one Obi Ezekiel (38) was arrested in the process.

"The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has commended the bravery and professionalism of the officers involved in these operations, and urged all Commands to sustain the momentum in the fight against all sorts of violent crimes. The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in ensuring that theres is no safe haven for criminals within the borders of our dear nation," he said.

ASA