The Nigeria Police Force has recorded fresh breakthroughs in its nationwide clampdown on violent crimes, with coordinated operations in Akwa Ibom and Nasarawa States leading to the rescue of a kidnap victim, the arrest of suspects, and the recovery of sophisticated firearms, ammunition, and millions of naira in cash.
On August 16, 2025, operatives of Eket Division in Akwa Ibom, working with Ikot Udota Division and youths of Afia Nsit, swiftly responded to a distress call over a kidnap attempt along Factory Road, Afia Nsit, Eket.
Their prompt action led to the rescue of one Mr. Emerson and the arrest of two suspects, identified as Okon Edem Okon and Emmanuel Bassey.
A follow-up search in an uncompleted building within a nearby bush uncovered a cache of arms, including one AK-47 rifle, one assault rifle, 67 rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action shotgun with six cartridges, six magazines, and a mobile phone suspected to belong to the fleeing hoodlums.
Police authorities confirmed that efforts are ongoing to track down other gang members who escaped the scene.In a separate operation in Nasarawa State on August 18, 2025, operatives of Garaku Division responded to a lone crash involving an Opel Vectra vehicle near the VIO checkpoint in Angwan Mayo community.
The two occupants of the vehicle fled immediately, abandoning the car.A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a G3 rifle, which was promptly secured.
Further inspection at the police station revealed a shocking haul—one AK-47 rifle, one Type 06 rifle, another G3 rifle, three magazines, 57 rounds of ammunition, and ₦6,908,150 (Six Million, Nine Hundred and Eight Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Naira).
Following an intensive manhunt conducted in synergy with the military, one of the fleeing suspects, Mohammed Tahir of Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, was arrested.
He confessed to being a member of a seven-man gang responsible for the abduction of a lawyer in Nyanya, Abuja, for which ransom had already been collected.
Police say investigations are ongoing to arrest the remaining members of the syndicate.Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the operations, stressed that all arrested suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
“These consecutive breakthroughs reinforce the renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure that criminals find no safe haven in Nigeria,” Adejobi said.
He commended the swift response of operatives, the synergy with community members, and the vigilance of patriotic citizens whose timely information made the operations successful, assuring that the Force will not relent in safeguarding lives and property across the country.
