Anifowose Samson
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force have recorded significant operational victories in Delta and Katsina states, where 11 kidnapped victims were rescued, and a large cache of illegal arms and ammunition were recovered from suspected criminals.
It was learnt that police operatives alongside other security agencies jointly foiled a kidnap attempt along the Danmusa–Mara Dangeza village road in Danmusa LGA in Katsina.
According to a statement issued on Friday by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, the security team, while on patrol, were engaged in a fierce gun battle with a group of armed bandits attempting to flee with kidnapped victims.
“The operatives successfully overpowered the criminals, forcing them to flee with gunshot injuries and successfully rescued 11 victims unhurt,” the statement read.
Similarly, “In Delta State, Police operatives attached to the CP-Special Assignment Team acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Abubakar Hassan (30), a key suspect in a cross-state kidnapping syndicate operating within Delta, Rivers, Imo, and Enugu States,’’ the statement further read.
“During interrogation, he confessed to leading operations along Ughelli-Ozoro axis and led police operatives to his hideout in a forest in Ozoro, where two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, and thirty-two rounds of live ammunition were recovered.
“This successful operation is linked to an earlier arrest of three other members of his kidnapping gang.
“Similarly, officers of the Safer Highway Patrol intercepted a vehicle during routine stop-and-search duties along Ughelli road. A thorough search led to the recovery of one locally fabricated revolver pump-action single-barrel rifle, fifteen rounds of live cartridges. The driver of the vehicle, one Obi Ezekiel (38) was arrested in the process.”
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has commended the bravery and professionalism of the officers involved in these operations, and urged all Commands to sustain the momentum in the fight against all sorts of violent crimes. The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in ensuring that theres is no safe haven for criminals within the borders of our dear nation,” the statement concluded.
