Police Kill Three, Recover N11.2m Ransom — IGP
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Sunday, confirmed the death of three suspected kidnappers, rescue of four kidnap victims, and the recovery of N11.2m ransom across Enugu and Ogun States.
The operations led to the recovery of firearms and other items, including two AK-47 rifles, 139 rounds of ammunition, a magazine, a cutlass, and a Toyota Corolla vehicle.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, three suspects were also arrested in connection with the incidents.
In Enugu State, at about 3:00 p.m. on July 16, 2025, police operatives, in collaboration with local security groups, responded to a distress call from the Okpuje-Ani community in Nsukka LGA following the sighting of armed kidnappers in a nearby forest.
Adejobi said, “One of the armed suspects was neutralised while others escaped into the bush with various degrees of gunshot injuries.”
He added, “Recovered at the scene was an AK-47 rifle loaded with two live rounds of ammunition.”
That same day, the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad arrested a 23-year-old suspect, Aliyu Adamu, along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway after receiving credible intelligence.
According to Adejobi, “the suspect, upon interrogation, confessed to participating in several abductions and admitted to being invited from Awka, Anambra State, to carry out criminal operations in Enugu.”
On July 15, 2025, at about 2:20 p.m., two women Juliet Chukwu (39) and Nancy Chukwu (40) were arrested by operatives of the Command during the sharing of a N10m ransom.
Investigation revealed they had conspired to kidnap their male relative after initially demanding N50m.
Adejobi said, “The male victim was safely rescued unharmed, while their operational Toyota Corolla vehicle and the said ransom were recovered.”
In Ogun State, a kidnap incident involving three persons around the Ajebo axis under Owode Egba Division on July 16 triggered a swift tactical response.
Adejobi explained, “Today, (Sunday) at about 04:00 am, the Anti-Kidnapping team with the aid of technology, identified the location of the kidnappers, engaged them in a shootout along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, during which two suspects were neutralised in the ensuing gun battle and successfully rescued all three kidnapped victims unhurt.”
He added, “Items recovered from the operation include: One AK-47 rifle, 139 rounds of ammunition, one magazine, one cutlass, a chain and padlock, the sum of ₦1.2m, suspected to be part of the ransom, and several mobile phones used for negotiations.”
The IGP commended the tactical units for their efforts, which he described as “bravery,” and noted that the results reflected the Force’s ongoing shift toward proactive, technology-driven and intelligence-led policing.
Egbetokun assured Nigerians of continued efforts by the police to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes across all regions.
Police Kill Three, Recover N11.2m Ransom — IGP is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
