The Nigeria Police Force has announced major breakthroughs in its ongoing fight against violent crime, with the successful rescue of 17 kidnapped victims, the recovery of 21 fabricated AK-47 rifles, and the neutralization of three armed robbery suspects in Kaduna State.
According to a statement issued on April 10 by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operations were carried out on April 9, 2025, by operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The 17 victims, including women and children, were abducted on March 3 from Sarkin Pawa in Niger State. They were rescued through a non-kinetic operation, emphasizing the police’s commitment to intelligence-led and inter-agency coordinated strategies. All the victims were taken to the Police Clinic in Kaduna for medical evaluation and have been declared stable and healthy.
In a separate development, the same Anti-Kidnapping Unit intercepted a commercial Volkswagen Sharan vehicle at Kawo Central Motor Park in Kaduna and discovered 21 fabricated AK-47 rifles hidden inside. The driver, identified as 27-year-old Jamilu Suleiman from Rafin Guza, Kaduna, was arrested. He confessed to being instructed by a union member to deliver the arms to an unknown individual in Kaduna. Investigations into the arms trafficking network are ongoing.
Additionally, at around 5:00 a.m. the same day, the police responded to a distress call reporting an armed robbery at Doggi Farm along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway. A swift response by officers from Tafa Division led to a fierce gun battle with a gang of about 30 robbers. Two were shot dead on the spot, while two others were arrested with injuries. One of the injured suspects later died at the hospital, while the other is in custody and assisting with investigations.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has reiterated the Force’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks and ensure the safety of Nigerians through proactive and coordinated policing efforts.
