Police Seize Nine Rifles, Arrest 15 Suspects In North
…Retrieve 45 Rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition
Police operatives across Nigeria have arrested suspected kidnappers and gunrunners in coordinated operations between April 17 and April 25, 2025.
The operations led to the disruption of criminal networks and the recovery of weapons across Kaduna and Taraba States.
The operatives seized nine AK-47/49s rifles, 45 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and arrested 15 suspects.
This was revealed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, on the microblogging site X on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
Muyiwa said operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command on Thursday, April 17, 2025, arrested Isa Ibrahim, a suspected kidnapper, based on credible intelligence. Ibrahim confessed to moving to Kaduna to form a new gang following the arrest of his accomplices in Kwara State.
That same day, a police patrol team was mobilised to Lamido village, Lere Local Government Area, where two more suspects, Sani Liman and Murtala Magaji, were arrested. Both confessed to their involvement in kidnapping operations in the area.
The crackdown continued on Friday, April 18, 2025, when police operatives, acting on a tip-off regarding gun-running activity, arrested two suspects, Bajo Badun and Magaji Abdullahi, in Kaduna State.
The duo were found in possession of two fabricated AK-47 rifles.
A follow-up arrest along the Kauru-Pambegua Road led to the apprehension of Ishiyaku Ali, who was found with two locally fabricated rifles and a long chain hidden in a sack.
On Saturday, April 25, 2025, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) Special Tactical Squad (STS), in a joint operation with Taraba State Command, local hunters, and vigilantes, arrested four suspected kidnappers in Mararaba Abbare, Lau L.G.A., while they were allegedly planning an attack.
The suspects identified as Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Haruna, Yusuf Bello, and Mohammed Bako were found in possession of two AK-49 rifles, one AK-47 rifle, six magazines, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
The operation followed intelligence reports on a kidnapping gang operating across Taraba, Adamawa, Gombe, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States.
A preceding raid on the gang’s hideout led to the arrest of six other suspects: Sulaiman Mohammed, Tijjani Bello, Muhammed Umar, Adamu Ibrahim, Solomon Nathaniel, and Haruna Adamu.
They were reportedly found with three AK-47 rifles, one AK-49 rifle, and four AK-47 magazines.
According to the police, all arrested suspects will be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, further assured Nigerians that the force remains resolute in its commitment to protect lives and property, urging public members to continue providing timely and credible information to aid law enforcement efforts.
Police Seize Nine Rifles, Arrest 15 Suspects In North is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
