Police Rescue Kidnap Victims, Arrest 8, Recover Arms In Sweeping Operations Across Four States
In a renewed push against violent crime and insecurity, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have recorded significant breakthroughs in a string of intelligence-led operations across Edo, Delta, Katsina, and Adamawa States.
The operations, which targeted cultists, kidnappers, and illegal arms dealers, led to the rescue of two kidnap victims, arrest of eight suspects, and the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition.
In Edo State, two farmers—Godday Irieude and Wisdom Emeka—were abducted from their farm in the Ewatto area during the early hours of 26th June.
A swift response by police operatives, in collaboration with local vigilantes, led to a gun battle at the kidnappers’ hideout.
The suspects fled with gunshot wounds, but the victims were rescued unharmed.
Meanwhile in Delta State, a series of operations resulted in the arrest of suspected cultists and arms dealers. Acting on credible intelligence, police stormed a residence in Mosogar, arresting two cult suspects and seizing firearms, ammunition, mobile phones, and fetish items.
Follow-up investigations led to two more arrests—all linked to the Aiye Confraternity.
In a separate raid in Okpanam, two more suspects were arrested with English-made firearms and over 100 live cartridges, believed to be linked to an arms trafficking network.
In Katsina State, a 40-year-old suspect, Yunusa Ishaku, was apprehended by the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in Funtua with two stolen vehicles.
He confessed to being part of a transnational vehicle theft syndicate, which targeted major cities including Abuja and Jos, with stolen vehicles smuggled to Niger Republic.
Also in Adamawa, a man identified as Alhaji Iya Bima, 52, was arrested in possession of an AK-47 rifle, magazines, and 50 rounds of live ammunition. His interrogation led to the recovery of an additional rifle and more ammunition.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that all suspects will be charged upon the conclusion of investigations.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and dismantling criminal networks.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or emergency hotlines.
