The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), in collaboration with sister security agencies, has recorded major operational breakthroughs in Delta and Katsina States, including the rescue of 11 kidnapped victims, arrest of two suspected kidnappers, and recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition.
According to a statement from the Force Headquarters, a Joint Task Force on patrol along the Danmusa–Mara Dangeza village road in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State foiled a kidnap attempt. The operatives engaged armed bandits in a gun battle, successfully overpowering the criminals, who fled with gunshot wounds. All 11 abducted victims were rescued unharmed.
In Delta State, officers from the CP-Special Assignment Team, acting on credible intelligence, arrested Abubakar Hassan, a 30-year-old key suspect linked to a cross-state kidnapping syndicate operating in Delta, Rivers, Imo, and Enugu States. The suspect confessed to leading operations along the Ughelli-Ozoro axis and guided police operatives to a hideout in Ozoro forest, where two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, and 32 rounds of live ammunition were recovered. His arrest followed that of three other gang members currently in custody.
In a separate incident, Safer Highway Patrol officers intercepted a suspicious vehicle during a routine stop-and-search on Ughelli Road. A locally fabricated revolver pump-action rifle and 15 live cartridges were recovered, and the driver, Obi Ezekiel (38), was arrested on the spot.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, lauded the efforts of the officers involved, praising their bravery and professionalism. He urged all Commands across the country to sustain the current momentum in the ongoing fight against violent crime.
