The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its crackdown on criminal activities with the arrest of 13 suspected kidnappers and the recovery of a cache of weapons, ammunition, and operational motorcycles in multiple operations across the country.

In a significant breakthrough, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) successfully countered an ambush by armed kidnappers at Oshara Ganden, a boundary between Kogi and Edo States, on March 11, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m. The operatives, en route to a special assignment in Edo State, overpowered the assailants, leading to the arrest of eight suspects.

The arrested individuals, identified as Tukur Salisu, Sani Abubakar, Mamud Sani, Umar Abdullahi, Salisu Mohammed, Salisu Usman, Bashir Audu, and Jibril Haruna, were found in possession of an AK-47 rifle with 29 rounds of live ammunition, an Israeli pump-action rifle with four cartridges, two additional pump-action rifles with 72 cartridges, a single-barrel shotgun with two cartridges, and two operational motorcycles.

In a separate operation on January 27, 2025, IRT operatives apprehended two suspects, Yakubu Musa (30) and Usman Musa (25), in Kaduna State. The duo was linked to multiple cases of kidnapping and cattle rustling in the Soba and Ikara regions. Their arrest led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles and 19 rounds of live ammunition.

Additionally, on January 21, 2025, three more suspects—Abubakar Lawan (24), Isiaku Abdullahi (35), and Abbas Maisaude (26)—were arrested for criminal conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, and kidnapping. The suspects reportedly confessed to involvement in several abductions across Rijana, Lambata, Dandume, and Ugama in Kaduna and Niger States. Security operatives recovered an AK-49 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, and 28 rounds of live ammunition from them. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of their gang.

These coordinated operations underscore the Nigeria Police Force's unwavering commitment to combating crime and ensuring public safety. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has commended the operatives for their courage and efficiency. He reassured citizens that the Force remains committed to upholding the rule of law and will continue to take decisive action against criminal elements.

The public has been urged to support law enforcement efforts by providing timely and accurate information to aid security operations.