Olusegun Ariyo
The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of 12 suspected kidnappers and three gunrunners in a series of coordinated operations across several states, including Taraba, Kaduna, and Bauchi.
The operations, carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department’s Special Tactical Squad (STS) in collaboration with the Taraba State Police Command, local hunters, and vigilante groups, also led to the recovery of a cache of firearms and ammunition.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed the development in a statement released on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the crackdown was the result of weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
“On April 25, 2025, operatives arrested four suspected kidnappers in Mararaban Abbare, Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State while they were reportedly planning an operation,” Adejobi said.
The suspects identified as Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako were reportedly found in possession of two AK-49 rifles, one AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of live ammunition.
Before this, a raid on the hideout of a notorious kidnapping gang operating across Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States resulted in the arrest of five additional suspects and the seizure of more rifles and ammunition.
In another operation on April 17, police operatives in Kaduna State apprehended a suspected kidnapper, Isa Ibrahim, who confessed to relocating to form a new gang after his partners were arrested in Kwara State.
Two more suspects, Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji, were arrested in Lamido village, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Police say both men confessed to being involved in several kidnapping operations in the region.
Further intelligence-led operations also led to the arrest of three suspected arms dealers: Bajo Badun, Magaji Abdullahi, and Ishiyaku Ali, who were allegedly in possession of locally fabricated rifles, including two AK-47 models and other weapon parts.
“All suspects are currently in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” the police statement added.
Commending the successful operations, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to securing lives and property across the country.
“The Nigeria Police remains unwavering in its duty to protect lives and property,” he said.
“We urge citizens to continue to provide timely and credible information to support our efforts in combating crime.”
