The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has recorded major breakthroughs in ongoing nationwide operations targeting violent crimes, cultism, kidnapping, and illegal arms trading across several states, resulting in arrests, recoveries of arms, and the rescue of kidnap victims.
According to a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in Edo State, police operatives, working in close synergy with local vigilante groups, rescued two victims, Godday Irieude and Wisdom Emeka, who were abducted from their farm in the Ewatto area on June 26, 2025, around 1:00 a.m.
According to the statement. the coordinated rescue mission followed a trail to the kidnappers’ hideout. Upon arrival, the suspects engaged the security operatives in a fierce gun battle but were eventually overpowered by superior firepower.
The kidnappers fled with gunshot injuries, while the victims were rescued unharmed.
In a related operation in Delta State, police operatives acting on credible intelligence executed a search warrant at a residence in the Mosogar area, arresting two suspected cultists identified as Koko Josh (29) and Asomugha Clinton (27).
A search of the premises led to the recovery of a fabricated Baretta pistol loaded with two rounds of live ammunition, two locally made firearms, eight live cartridges, several mobile phones, a laptop, and fetish items.
Follow-up investigations led to the arrest of two more suspects, Anthony Kelvin (26) and Gift Amotsuka (25), all confirmed members of the Aiye Confraternity.
In another operation in the Okpanam area of Delta State, police arrested two suspects, Ekene Chroma (36) and Okafor Jonathan (18), found in possession of two English-made single-barrel guns and 110 live cartridges.
Preliminary findings revealed their involvement in the illicit trade of firearms, allegedly acting as couriers for wanted criminals.
Meanwhile, in the North-Western part of the country, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department, Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) arrested Yunusa Ishaku (40) in Funtua, Katsina State, in possession of two stolen vehicles, a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Camry.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being part of a transnational vehicle theft syndicate operating across Abuja, Jos, and other cities, with stolen vehicles allegedly being transported to Niger Republic for resale.
Ishaku also led investigators to the locations of three more stolen vehicles, a Honda Accord, a Toyota Carina II, and a Toyota Camry (1998 model), hidden in Zamfara and Bauchi States.
In a separate case, acting on credible intelligence, the FID-IRT apprehended a 52-year-old man, Alhaji Iya Bima, from Kem Shithem LGA, Adamawa State, who was found in possession of an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 50 rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition.
Subsequent interrogation led to the recovery of an additional AK-47 rifle, three magazines, and 50 more rounds of ammunition.
“All arrested suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” the statement concluded.
