Police Arrests Suspected Kidnappers Nationwide

By Olusegun Ajileye

Nigeria Police Force says it has arrested 12 suspected kidnappers and three alleged gun runners in multiple operations across the country, recovering arms and ammunition during the process.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement, stating that the operations were guided by credible intelligence and carried out in coordination with local security actors.

He notes that the arrests mark progress in the force’s efforts to address violent crimes across Nigeria.

“On April 25, 2025, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), in collaboration with the Taraba State Police Command, local hunters, and vigilantes, arrested four individuals in Mararaban Abbare, Lau Local Government Area. The suspects — Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako — were apprehended while allegedly planning a kidnapping operation. Recovered items included two AK-49 rifles, one AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition”

According to Adejobi, prior to the arrest, the operatives had earlier received intelligence on a group of kidnapping gang terrorizing Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States, adding that successful raid conducted at the hideout of this gang led to the arrest of five suspected kidnappers.

These suspects, identified as Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim, Solomon Nathaniel, and Haruna Adamu, were also found in possession of 3 AK-47 rifles, 1 AK-49 rifle, and 4 AK-47 magazines.

In a similar development, the statement adds that on April 17, 2025, acting on intelligence, police operatives attached to Kaduna State Command apprehended one Isa Ibrahim, a suspected kidnapper, who confessed to relocating to Kaduna to establish a new gang after his accomplices were arrested in Kwara State.

Equally, on the same date, operatives of the Kaduna State Command mobilized a patrol team to Lamido village, Lere L.G.A., where two suspected kidnappers, Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji, were apprehended, and both suspects confessed to involvement in kidnapping activities in the area.

Additionally, on April 18, 2025, police operatives of the state, acting on received information about the activities of suspected gun runners, arrested two suspects identified as Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi, who were found in possession of two fabricated AK-47 rifles, and later arrested one Ishiyaku Ali along the Kauru-Pambegua Road of the state in possession of two locally-fabricated rifles and a long chain concealed in a sack.

Adejobi assures that the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

He also hints that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the efforts of the gallant operatives and assures members of the public that the Force remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents.

He further urges the public to continue supporting the police with credible and timely information of happenings in their environment.