Police Neutralize Seven Suspected Kidnappers, Arrest Five Armed Robbers, Recover Weapons and Stolen Vehicles — NPF

The Nigeria Police Force has announced major successes in its ongoing fight against violent crime, reporting the neutralization of seven suspected kidnappers, the arrest of five suspected armed robbers, and the recovery of firearms and stolen vehicles in Delta and Kaduna States.

In a press release issued on Monday by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, the NPF said these operations demonstrate “the Force’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents.”

According to the statement, on June 4, 2025, operatives from the Delta State Police Command, in collaboration with local vigilantes and anti-cult volunteers, conducted an intelligence-led operation targeting suspected kidnappers along the Abraka Railway axis.

During the operation, police engaged the suspects in a gun duel. “The neutralisation of four suspected kidnappers and the recovery of One AK-47 rifle and thirteen rounds of live ammunition” were reported as a result of the encounter.

In a separate incident on the same day, the Delta State Command’s CP-Special Assignment Team conducted another operation along the Ughelli-Patani Road.

They intercepted a shuttle bus near Ewhereni Junction. Upon sighting the operatives, “the occupants of the said vehicle opened fire in a bid to escape, leading to a gun duel. As a result, three (3) of the suspected kidnappers were neutralized. One AK-47 rifle loaded with eighteen (18) rounds of live ammunition were recovered from them.”
Preliminary investigations revealed the suspects were part of “one of the known kidnapping syndicates terrorizing the state.”

In Kaduna State, the Police also recorded major breakthroughs against armed robbery syndicates.

Operatives from the Kaduna State Command arrested five suspects linked to a notorious gang that had been “terrorising communities in the State for an extended period.” The investigation was triggered by the theft of a Toyota Hilux from the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja on May 28, 2025.

One suspect, Mohammed Kabir, “a male from Samaru Gusau, Zamfara State, was apprehended following a high-speed pursuit near Zaria town.” His arrest led to the recovery of the stolen Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Camry abandoned near the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

Further police action led to the arrest of one Emmanuel Oliseh, who had stolen a Honda CR-V from Abuja. In another case, a Toyota Camry (1998 model) was intercepted with three suspects — “Ibrahim Bala, Abdulsalam Abdullahi, and Abdulraman Muktar, who later confessed to stealing the vehicle from Nasarawa State.”

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, praised the swift and effective police operations, stating: “This successes once again underscores the importance of collaboration between the police and security stakeholders in combating crime in our communities.”

He further urged public cooperation in ongoing security efforts: “The IGP urges members of the Public to continually provide timely information to the Police and other security agencies to help keep our country safe.”

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its dedication to proactive and intelligence-driven policing in its mission to curb crime and ensure public safety.