The Nigeria Police Force has recorded significant breakthroughs in the fight against kidnapping, cultism, illegal arms dealing, and organized vehicle theft, following a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations across Delta, Edo, Katsina, and Adamawa States.
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operations led to the rescue of two kidnapped victims, the arrest of eight suspects, and the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition, and stolen vehicles.
In Edo State, police operatives, working with local vigilantes, rescued two individuals — Godday Irieude and Wisdom Emeka — who were abducted from their farm in the Ewatto area on June 26, 2025, at about 1:00 a.m.
“The kidnappers engaged the police in a fierce gun duel, but were overpowered by the superior firepower of our operatives, forcing them to flee with varying degrees of gunshot injuries,” the statement said.
“The victims were successfully rescued unhurt.”In Delta State, a raid on a residence in the Mosogar area resulted in the arrest of two suspected cultists — Koko Josh (29) and Asomugha Clinton (27) — and the recovery of weapons including a fabricated Baretta pistol loaded with live ammunition, two locally made guns, eight cartridges, and suspected cult paraphernalia.
Follow-up investigations led to the arrest of two additional suspects — Anthony Kelvin (26) and Gift Amotsuka (25) — all identified as members of the notorious Aiye Confraternity.
In a separate operation in Okpanam, Delta State, two suspects — Ekene Chroma (36) and Okafor Jonathan (18) — were arrested with two English-made single-barrel guns and 110 live cartridges.
Preliminary findings revealed their roles in arms trafficking, serving as suppliers to criminal elements.
Meanwhile, in Funtua, Katsina State, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) arrested Yunusa Ishaku (40) with two stolen vehicles — a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Camry.
During interrogation, Ishaku confessed to being part of a transnational vehicle theft syndicate that traffics stolen cars from Nigerian cities like Abuja and Jos to Niger Republic.
He also disclosed the locations of three more stolen vehicles — a Honda Accord, Toyota Carina II, and Toyota Camry 1998 model — hidden in Zamfara and Bauchi States.
Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices and recover additional exhibits.In another operation in Kem Shithem LGA, Adamawa State, operatives arrested Alhaji Iya Bima (52) with an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 50 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition.
Further questioning led to the recovery of another AK-47 rifle, three additional magazines, and 50 more rounds of ammunition.
“All suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” Adejobi stated.
Reaffirming the Police Force’s commitment to proactive crime-fighting strategies, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, emphasized the importance of intelligence-led policing in dismantling criminal networks.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains unwavering in its resolve to intensify intelligence-driven operations, disrupt criminal syndicates, and restore peace and security across the country,” the IGP said.
The Police urged members of the public to remain alert and report suspicious activities through the dedicated emergency lines or the nearest police station.
