The Nigeria Police Force has announced major clampdown on violent crime, with the rescue of a kidnap victim, arrest of suspects, and recovery of firearms and cash in separate operations in Nasarawa and Akwa Ibom States.
Force spokesperson, DCP Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the developments in a statement, noting that the coordinated raids reflect the Police Force’s renewed drive to dismantle kidnapping networks and restore public confidence.
According to the statement, on August 16, 2025, operatives from Eket Division, supported by officers from Ikot Udota and local residents of Afia Nsit, swiftly responded to a distress call about a suspected kidnap attempt along Factory Road in Eket.
Their intervention led to the safe rescue of a victim, identified as Emerson, and the arrest of two suspects.
A follow-up search of a nearby bush revealed an abandoned, uncompleted building where officers recovered a cache of weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, an assault rifle, 67 rounds of ammunition, a pump-action shotgun with six cartridges, six magazines, and a mobile phone linked to the suspects.
In a separate operation on August 18, 2025, officers of Garaku Division in Nasarawa State intercepted an Opel Vectra involved in an accident near the VIO checkpoint in Angwan Mayo.
The occupants fled, abandoning the vehicle. Upon inspection, police discovered a G3 rifle. Subsequent searches uncovered more arms and ammunition at the station: one AK-47 rifle, a Type 06 rifle, two additional G3 rifles, three magazines, 57 rounds of ammunition, and a cash haul of ₦6.9 million.
A joint police-military manhunt later resulted in the arrest of a suspect, Mohammed Tahir, from Barkin Ladi in Plateau State, while efforts are underway to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, praised the operatives’ swift response and the collaboration with community members.
He assured Nigerians that the Force will sustain intelligence-driven operations to curb insecurity, bring offenders to justice, and protect law-abiding citizens.
