In a significant display of enhanced operational capabilities and intelligence-led policing, the Nigeria Police Force has delivered a severe blow to criminal syndicates operating across Delta and Kaduna states.
The Force announced on Monday that a total of seven suspected kidnappers were neutralized in Delta State, while five alleged armed robbers were apprehended in Kaduna State, leading to the recovery of sophisticated weaponry and multiple stolen vehicles.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement released today, highlighted the effectiveness of intensified intelligence strategies and seamless collaboration with local security outfits as key to these recent successes.
On June 4, 2025, a meticulously planned operation unfolded along the Abraka Railway axis in Delta State. Acting on precise intelligence, operatives of the Delta State Police Command, bolstered by vigilant local vigilantes and anti-cult volunteers, engaged a notorious kidnapping gang.
The encounter escalated into a fierce gun duel, culminating in the neutralization of four suspects. The swift action also led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and thirteen rounds of live ammunition, dismantling a significant part of the syndicate’s operational capacity.
In a separate, equally decisive operation, the Command’s CP-Special Assignment Team intercepted a shuttle bus near Ewhereni Junction along the Ughelli–Patani Road.
The occupants of the bus, reportedly part of a notorious kidnapping syndicate terrorizing the state, opened fire on the police in a desperate attempt to evade arrest.
The ensuing gun battle resulted in the neutralization of three additional suspects. Another AK-47 rifle loaded with eighteen rounds of live ammunition was recovered, further crippling the group’s ability to inflict terror. Preliminary investigations have firmly linked these neutralized individuals to a widespread kidnapping network.
Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, police operatives achieved a major breakthrough against an armed robbery syndicate that had been plaguing residents. The arrests followed the successful recovery of a Toyota Hilux vehicle, stolen on May 28, 2025, from the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja.
A high-speed chase near Zaria town led to the capture of one of the key suspects, Mohammed Kabir, identified as hailing from Samaru Gusau in Zamfara State. His apprehension triggered a cascade of further investigations, leading to the recovery of a Toyota Camry abandoned near the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway.
In a related development, a Honda CR-V, also reported stolen in Abuja, was recovered following the arrest of Emmanuel Oliseh.
The Force’s robust stop-and-search operations also yielded results, with the interception of a 1998 model Toyota Camry. The three occupants—Ibrahim Bala, Abdulsalam Abdullahi, and Abdulraman Muktar—subsequently confessed that the vehicle had been stolen from Nasarawa State, highlighting the extensive reach of these criminal enterprises.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has lauded the officers for their exceptional bravery and swift response to intelligence, emphasizing that these successes underscore the critical importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the public.
He reiterated the Force’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding communities and urged citizens to continue providing timely and actionable information to support ongoing efforts to combat crime and maintain peace across the nation.
These operations serve as a clear warning to criminals that the Nigeria Police Force, in synergy with local communities, remains resolute in its determination to root out criminal elements and ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.
