Police Rescue 10 Kidnap Victims, Recover Arms, Arrest Notorious Suspects in Nationwide Operations

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced a series of successful operations across the country, resulting in the rescue of kidnap victims, the recovery of stolen police firearms, and the arrest of several notorious criminal suspects. These achievements, according to the Force, underscore its ongoing commitment to combating violent crime and enhancing internal security.

On April 19, 2025, officers from the Faskari Division of the Katsina State Police Command responded to intelligence about a kidnap attempt along the Funtua-Gusau highway. Police operatives engaged the suspected bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to flee with injuries. Ten victims, including two drivers and eight passengers, were rescued unharmed and have since been reunited with their families.

In a related development, operatives from the State Intelligence Department in Taraba State, working with local vigilantes, apprehended Umar Ahmad, 40, at a roadblock in Jalingo on April 18, 2025. Ahmad, described by police as a notorious criminal, was wanted for several months. Following his arrest and interrogation, he led officers to Mayo Faran Village, a border community between Taraba and Adamawa states. A search of the area resulted in the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, and 39 rounds of live ammunition. Police investigations revealed that one of the rifles had previously been stolen from the Taraba State Police Command during a 2023 ambush that claimed the life of ASP Aminu Nuhu.

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Continuing their operations, police officers from the Fegge Divisional Headquarters in Anambra State, while on patrol on April 17, 2025, intercepted a suspicious shuttle bus parked along Port Harcourt Road, Upper Iweka, Onitsha. A search of the vehicle uncovered five pump-action guns, eight live cartridges, and two handcuffs hidden in a bag of rice. The bus is currently undergoing forensic examination, and efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible.

Also on April 17, 2025, operatives from the Rapid Response Squad and Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Anambra State arrested Israel Akachukwu, 25, at his residence in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area. A search of his apartment yielded two pump-action guns, two live cartridges, a cutlass, a yellow axe, and a dagger. Police say Akachukwu confessed to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity and is assisting authorities in identifying other members of the group.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the officers involved for their professionalism and swift response, noting that these successes highlight the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing. He reiterated the Force’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians and urged the public to continue supporting law enforcement by providing timely and useful information.

The police assured citizens that efforts to tackle violent crime and ensure public safety remain a top priority.