The Nigeria Police Force on Friday announced major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on kidnapping and arms smuggling, rescuing 11 kidnapped victims in Katsina State and arresting a notorious kidnapping kingpin in Delta State.
According to Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, a joint security team foiled a kidnap attempt on June 8 along the Danmusa–Mara Dangeza village road in Katsina. The operatives engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds. All 11 abducted victims were rescued unharmed.
In Delta State, police operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested Abubakar Hassan, 30, a wanted leader of a cross-state kidnapping syndicate operating across Delta, Rivers, Imo, and Enugu States. Hassan confessed to multiple abductions along the Ughelli–Ozoro axis and led police to his forest hideout in Ozoro, where officers recovered two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, and 32 rounds of live ammunition.
In another operation, Safer Highway Patrol officers intercepted a vehicle during a stop-and-search exercise along Ughelli Road. A search uncovered a locally fabricated revolver, a pump-action single-barrel rifle, and 15 live cartridges. The driver, Obi Ezekiel, 38, was arrested.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, praised the officers for their bravery and professionalism. He called on police commands nationwide to maintain the momentum in the fight against violent crime.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in ensuring that there is no safe haven for criminals within the borders of our dear nation,” the IGP said.
