The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of 12 alleged kidnappers and three gunrunners in coordinated operations spanning numerous states, culminating in the recovery of multiple firearms and ammunition.
The arrests came after reliable intelligence and coordinated operations by local vigilantes, hunters, and multiple police commands, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer.
The statement noted that on April 25, 2025, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), in collaboration with the Taraba State Police Command, arrested four suspected kidnappers—Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako in Mararaban Abbare, Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State, while they were allegedly planning a kidnap operation.
The arms recovered from the suspects were two AK-49 rifles, one AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
“Prior to this arrest, the operatives had earlier received intelligence on a group of kidnapping gang terrorising Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States. A successful raid conducted at the hideout of this gang led to the arrest of five suspected kidnappers.
“These suspects, identified as Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim, Solomon Nathaniel, Haruna Adamu were also found in possession of 3 AK-47 rifles, 1 AK-49 rifle, and 4 AK-47 magazines,” the statement added.
Isa Ibrahim, a suspected kidnapper who allegedly confessed to trying to start a new gang after his former associates were apprehended in Kwara State, was taken into custody by police in Kaduna State on April 17 in a related operation.
The statement added that police operatives, on the same day, mobilised to Lamido village in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna and apprehended two more suspected kidnappers, Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji, who also confessed to involvement in kidnapping activities in the area.
“Additionally, on April 18, 2025, police operatives of the state, acting on received information about the activities of suspected gun runners, arrested 2 suspects identified as Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi, who were found in possession of two fabricated AK-47 rifles and later arrested one Ishiyaku Ali, along the Kauru-Pambegua Road of the state in possession of two locally-fabricated rifles and a long chain concealed in a sack,” the statement said.
“All the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the statement added.
IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police, commended the officers and reassured the public of the Force’s steadfast dedication to protecting lives and property.
