Police Rescue Kidnap Victims, Bust Cult Gangs, Arms Dealers in Nationwide Crackdown

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a series of major breakthroughs in its ongoing clampdown on violent crimes, with the rescue of two kidnapped victims, arrest of eight suspects, and recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition in coordinated operations across four states.

In a statement issued from Force Headquarters, Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed that the intelligence-led operations took place in Delta, Edo, Katsina and Adamawa States, with critical support from local vigilante groups and operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT).

On 26th June 2025, two individuals — Godday Irieude and Wisdom Emeka — were abducted from their farm in the Ewatto area of Edo State. Police operatives, working in synergy with local vigilantes, launched a swift rescue operation after tracing the kidnappers to their hideout.

According to the statement, “The kidnappers opened fire on sighting the operatives, but the police overpowered them with superior firepower, causing the suspects to flee with gunshot injuries. Both victims were rescued unhurt.”

In a separate operation in Mosogar, Delta State, police stormed the residence of suspected cultists Koko Josh (29) and Asomugha Clinton (27).

A search led to the recovery of a fabricated Baretta pistol loaded with two live rounds, two locally made guns, eight live cartridges, mobile phones, a laptop, and fetish items.

Follow-up investigations resulted in the arrest of two more suspects — Anthony Kelvin (26) and Gift Amotsuka (25) — all identified as members of the Aiye Confraternity.

Another arms bust in the Okpanam area led to the arrest of Ekene Chroma (36) and Okafor Jonathan (18), who were found in possession of two English-made single-barrel guns and 110 live cartridges.

Investigations confirmed their involvement in illegal arms dealings, supplying weapons to known criminals.

Meanwhile, in Funtua, Katsina State, FID-IRT operatives apprehended Yunusa Ishaku (40) in possession of two stolen vehicles — a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Camry.

The suspect confessed to being part of a car theft syndicate operating across Abuja, Jos, and other major cities, with stolen vehicles trafficked to Niger Republic.

Ishaku also provided information leading to the discovery of three additional stolen vehicles — a Honda Accord, Toyota Carina II, and a Toyota Camry ’98 — in Zamfara and Bauchi States.

Also in Adamawa State, police arrested Alhaji Iya Bima (52) with one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and fifty rounds of live ammunition. Further interrogation led to the recovery of an additional AK-47 rifle, three magazines and fifty more rounds.

All suspects are to be charged in court following the conclusion of investigations.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., reaffirmed the Force’s unwavering commitment to intelligence-led policing aimed at dismantling criminal syndicates across the country.

He urged the public to support police efforts by reporting suspicious activity to nearby stations or via emergency hotlines.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its mission to secure the lives and property of citizens through strategic, intelligence-driven operations,” the statement concluded.