Categories: CrimesNews

11 kidnap victims rescued, kingpin arrested in Katsina

Security operatives in Nigeria have recorded significant successes in the fight against kidnapping and arms trafficking, with coordinated operations leading to the rescue of victims and the arrest of notorious criminals.

According to a statement released on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, police personnel, working in conjunction with other security agencies, rescued 11 kidnap victims in Katsina State following a fierce gun battle with a gang of armed bandits.

The rescue occurred on June 8, 2025, when a Joint Task Force on patrol along the Danmusa–Mara Dangeza village road in Danmusa Local Government Area intercepted the kidnappers.

Police rescue 4-year-old kidnap victim, arrest 4 in Katsina

The operatives engaged the gang in an exchange of gunfire, forcing the criminals—who fled with gunshot wounds—to abandon the victims. All 11 hostages were rescued unharmed.

In a separate operation in Delta State, the police arrested a key figure in a cross-state kidnapping syndicate.

The suspect, Abubakar Hassan, 30, confessed to leading multiple kidnappings along the Ughelli–Ozoro route and revealed the location of his gang’s hideout in a forest near Ozoro.

A raid on the hideout led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, and 32 rounds of live ammunition. His arrest follows the earlier capture of three other gang members.

Further in Delta State, officers of the Safer Highway Patrol team stopped a suspicious vehicle during a routine checkpoint on Ughelli Road.

A search uncovered a locally made revolver pump-action rifle and 15 live cartridges.

The driver, 38-year-old Obi Ezekiel, was arrested on the spot.

In addition to these breakthroughs, ACP Adejobi disclosed that the police thwarted an arms smuggling operation in Delta State, seizing a significant cache of illegal firearms and ammunition.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, commended the bravery and professionalism of the operatives involved in these operations.

He urged all police commands nationwide to sustain the momentum in tackling violent crime.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains determined to ensure there is no safe haven for criminals anywhere in our country,” IGP Egbetokun affirmed.

LUKMAN ABDULMALIK

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