NIGERIA: Police Arrest 12 Kidnappers, 3 Gun Runners In Nationwide Crackdown

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 12 suspected kidnappers and three suspected gun runners in a series of operations across the country.

The arrests were made between April 17 and 25. They followed credible intelligence and joint efforts by police operatives, local hunters, and vigilante groups.

In Taraba State, four suspects were arrested in Mararaban Abbare, Lau Local Government Area.

They were reportedly planning a kidnapping operation.

The suspects are Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako.

They were found with two AK49 rifles, one AK47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of live ammunition.

Police earlier raided the hideout of another kidnapping gang.

That led to the arrest of five more suspects.

They are Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim, Solomon Nathaniel, and Haruna Adamu.

The police recovered three AK47 rifles, one AK49 rifle, and four magazines from them.

In Kaduna State, police arrested a suspect identified as Isa Ibrahim.

He confessed to relocating to Kaduna to form a new gang after his previous members were arrested in Kwara State.

Two other suspects, Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji, were arrested in Lamido village, Lere Local Government Area.

They also confessed to kidnapping activities.

On April 18, police in Kaduna arrested two men, Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi. They were caught with two fabricated AK47 rifles.

On the same day, another suspect, Ishiyaku Ali, was arrested on Kauru Pambegua Road. He had two locally made rifles and a long chain hidden in a sack.

All suspects will be charged to court after investigations are completed.

Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, praised the officers for their efforts.

He assured Nigerians that the police are committed to protecting lives and property.

He urged members of the public to continue providing useful and timely information to help the police fight crime.