The Nigeria Police Force has announced fresh breakthroughs in its fight against kidnapping and violent crimes, with the rescue of a victim, arrest of three suspected kidnappers, and the recovery of sophisticated arms, ammunition, and millions of naira in cash in Akwa Ibom and Nasarawa States.

Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, said the coordinated operations reflect the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to intensify the crackdown on criminal gangs across the country.

In Akwa Ibom, operatives from Eket Division and Ikot Udota Division, supported by local youths, foiled a kidnapping attempt on August 16 at Factory Road, Afia Nsit, Eket. The swift response led to the rescue of one Emerson and the arrest of two suspects, identified as Okon Edem Okon and Emmanuel Bassey. A search in a nearby bush uncovered an uncompleted building used as a hideout, where police recovered an AK-47 rifle, an assault rifle, 67 rounds of ammunition, a pump-action shotgun with six cartridges, six magazines, and a mobile phone.

In a separate operation in Nasarawa on August 18, police officers in Garaku Division recovered a cache of arms and cash after a lone crash involving an Opel Vectra vehicle near Angwan Mayo. The occupants fled the scene, but a search revealed a G3 rifle. A further search at the station uncovered more weapons, including an AK-47, a Type 06 rifle, two additional G3 rifles, three magazines, 57 rounds of live ammunition, and ₦6,908,150 in cash.

Following a manhunt in collaboration with the military, one suspect, Mohammed Tahir from Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, was arrested. Police said he confessed to belonging to a seven-man kidnapping gang linked to the abduction of a lawyer in Nyanya, Abuja, from whom ransom had been collected.

Adejobi said efforts are ongoing to track other fleeing gang members, with the arrested suspects expected to face prosecution after investigations.

The IGP commended the swift response of officers, the synergy with community members, and the vigilance of citizens whose information aided the operations. He assured that the Force would sustain its offensive to ensure that “criminals have no safe haven in Nigeria.”