The Nigeria Police Force has recorded significant breakthroughs in its ongoing efforts to curb violent crimes across the country, with the arrest of 12 suspected kidnappers, three gun-runners, and the recovery of a cache of arms and ammunition in multiple coordinated operations.

According to a police statement, the operations, driven by actionable intelligence and executed by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department's Special Tactical Squad (STS) in collaboration with state commands, hunters, and vigilante groups, spanned several states including Taraba, Kaduna, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kwara.

On April 25, 2025, four suspected kidnappers—Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako—were apprehended in Mararaban Abbare, Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State while planning a kidnapping operation. The suspects were found with two AK-49 rifles, one AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

Prior to this, intelligence-led raids on hideouts across the region resulted in the arrest of six additional suspects identified as Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim, Solomon Nathaniel, and Haruna Adamu. Recovered from them were three AK-47 rifles, one AK-49 rifle, and four AK-47 magazines.

In a similar operation on April 17, 2025, operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command arrested Isa Ibrahim, a suspected kidnapper who confessed to relocating to Kaduna to regroup after his former accomplices were arrested in Kwara State. That same day, two more suspects, Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji, were apprehended in Lamido village, Lere Local Government Area. The duo admitted to involvement in kidnapping activities within the area.

On April 18, police operatives in Kaduna arrested suspected gun-runners Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi, who were caught with two fabricated AK-47 rifles. A third suspect, Ishiyaku Ali, was later arrested along the Kauru-Pambegua Road with two locally-fabricated rifles and a long iron chain concealed in a sack.

The police confirmed that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, praised the dedication and bravery of the operatives involved in these operations. He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to protecting lives and property, urging the public to continue supporting law enforcement with credible and timely information.