The Nigeria Police Force has recorded fresh breakthroughs in the fight against violent crimes, with recent coordinated operations leading to the rescue of a kidnap victim, arrest of three suspects, and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and millions of naira in Akwa Ibom and Nasarawa States.
In Akwa Ibom, operatives attached to Eket Division, supported by colleagues from Ikot Udota Division and youths of Afia Nsit, swiftly responded to a distress call on 16th August 2025 over a suspected kidnap attempt at Factory Road, Afia Nsit, Eket. Their intervention led to the rescue of one Emerson and the arrest of two suspects, Okon Edem Okon and Emmanuel Bassey.
A follow-up search of an uncompleted building in a nearby bush uncovered a cache of weapons including one AK-47 rifle, one assault rifle, 67 rounds of ammunition, a pump-action shotgun with six live cartridges, six magazines, and a mobile phone. The Police confirmed that efforts are ongoing to track other fleeing members of the gang.
In another operation in Nasarawa State, operatives of Garaku Police Division responded on 18th August 2025 to a lone motor accident involving an Opel Vectra vehicle near a VIO checkpoint at Angwan Mayo. The occupants fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle. On inspection, officers discovered a G3 rifle, which was immediately secured.
Further examination at the station revealed a significant cache: one AK-47 rifle, one Type 06 rifle, another G3 rifle, three magazines, 57 rounds of live ammunition, and ₦6,908,150 (Six Million, Nine Hundred and Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Naira only). Following an intensive manhunt with military support, one fleeing suspect, Mohammed Tahir of Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, was arrested. He confessed to belonging to a seven-man kidnapping gang responsible for abducting a lawyer in Nyanya, Abuja, from whom ransom had been collected.
Police authorities have assured that investigations are ongoing and all arrested suspects will be prosecuted accordingly.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, commended the swift action of the operatives, synergy with local communities, and vigilance of patriotic citizens whose timely information aided the breakthroughs. He reiterated the Force’s resolve to ensure that criminals have no safe haven in Nigeria.
By Fikunmi Sokoya
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