The Nigeria Police Force has arrested eight suspected kidnappers in a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations across Delta, Katsina, Adamawa and Edo States.
Two victims of kidnapping who had earlier been abducted by the hoodlums were also rescued by the police during the operations.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the details of the operations revealed that two individuals – Godday Irieude and Wisdom Emeka were abducted from their farm in Ewatto area on 26th June 2025 at about 1am in Edo State.
Adejobi said police operatives, in synergy with local vigilante groups, trailed the abductors to their hideout where they launched a coordinated rescue operation.
He said, “The kidnappers upon sighting police operatives, engaged them in a fierce gun duel. However, the superior fire power of the operative caused the kidnappers to flee with various degrees of gunshot injuries, leading to the rescue of the kidnapped victims unhurt”.
Similarly, police operatives attached to the Delta State Command, acting on credible intelligence and a search warrant, stormed a residence in the Mosogar area occupied by two suspected cultists identified as 29-year-old Koko Josh and Asomugha Clinton, 27.
“A thorough search of their premises led to the recovery of one fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with two rounds of live ammunition, two locally made guns, eight live cartridges, multiple mobile phones, a laptop and fetish items. Follow-up investigation led to the arrest of two additional suspects; Anthony Kelvin (26) and Gift Amotsuka (25) all confirmed to be members of Aiye Confraternity,” Adejobi said.
In a separate operation executed in Okpanam area of Delta State, the FPRO said police operatives arrested two suspects identified as Ekene Chroma, 36 years and Okafor Jonathan, 18.
He said the suspects were caught in possession of two English-made single-barrel guns and 110 live cartridges.
The police spokesman said preliminary investigations revealed the suspects’ involvement in illegal arms dealing, acting as suppliers and couriers for wanted criminals.
In a separate operation in Funtua, Katsina State, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) apprehended one Yunusa Ishaku, 40 years, in possession of two stolen vehicles comprising a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Camry.
The police said during interrogation, the suspect confessed to his role in a nationwide vehicle theft ring targeting Abuja, Jos, and other cities, with stolen vehicles being conveyed to Niger Republic for resale.
He further revealed the locations of three additional stolen vehicles comprising Honda Accord, Toyota Carina II, Toyota Camry 98 models in Zamfara and Bauchi States.
The police said efforts were being intensified to apprehend Ishaku’s accomplices and recover more stolen exhibits.