Eric Patrick
Operatives of the Faskari Division of the Katsina State Police Command have foiled a kidnap attempt along the Funtua-Gusau highway.
Ten victims, including two drivers and eight passengers, were rescued unhurt, and they have been reunited with their families.
This was made known in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Sunday.
According to the statement, the operatives engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel, causing them to escape with bullet wounds.
In another development, on April 18, 2025, at about 11:00 AM, operatives attached to the State Intelligence Department (SID), Taraba State, in collaboration with local vigilantes, apprehended Umar Ahmad, 40, at a roadblock in Jalingo.
Ahmad is a notorious criminal wanted by the police for several months.
Following interrogation, Ahmad led operatives to Mayo Faran Village in Mayo Belwa LGA, a border town between Taraba and Adamawa states.
Items recovered are two AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, and thirty-nine rounds of live ammunition.
Investigation revealed that one of the recovered guns belongs to the Taraba State Police Command, which was earlier carted away during an ambush in 2023, where kidnappers attacked a team of the Anti-Kidnapping squad, resulting in the death of one ASP Aminu Nuhu.
On April 17, 2025, police officers attached to Fegge Divisional Headquarters, Anambra State, while on patrol along Port Harcourt Road, Upper Iweka, Onitsha, intercepted a shuttle bus parked suspiciously along the road and upon conducting a thorough search of the bus, five pump-action guns, eight live cartridges, and two handcuffs were found concealed in a bag of rice.
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The recovered bus has been subjected to forensic examination, while effort is being intensified to locate the culprits.
In a related development on the same day, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad/Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anambra state command acting on credible intelligence, arrested 25-year-old Israel Akachukwu at his residence on Ezeigwe Street Nkpor, Idemili North LGA.
Items recovered from the suspect’s apartment are two pump-action guns, two live cartridges, a cutlass, a yellow axe, and a dagger.
The suspect confessed to being a member of the Vikings Confraternity and is cooperating with the police to identify and arrest other members of the gang.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, praised the officers for their professionalism and swift action, which have resulted in these outstanding achievements.
The IGP has affirmed the Force’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of citizens.
He said, “These recent achievements highlight the success of intelligence-driven policing and the relentless efforts of NPF officers in tackling crime nationwide.”
The NPF encourages the public to keep working closely with law enforcement agencies by sharing important information that can help prevent crime and maintain public safety.
