Police rescue 17 kidnapped persons, recover 21 AK-47 rifles in intelligence-led operations
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Police from Kaduna, in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), have rescued 17 people kidnapped in Sakin Pawa in Niger on March 3, a success achieved through a non-kinetic approach the police said underscores the importance of intelligence-led security.
The operation is evidence of the commitment of Inspector–General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to leverage intelligence-led policing and inter-agency synergy to address security challenges, according to a statement issued by Force Headquarters spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The statement listed the names of the rescued persons as Williams Ubadia (15), Samuel Ezekiel (15), Duza Ezekiel (13), Ishaku Ishaya (12), Sunday Ezekiel (8), Jessy Friday (6), Rebecca Ezekiel (32), Jummai Ishaya (32), and Terriza Friday (30).
Alice Ezekiel (35), Victoria Ishaya (32), Blessing Ezekiel (20), Gloria Ubadia (13), Gift Ubadia (10), Charity Ezekiel (9), Alheri Ishaya (5), and Favour Ezekiel (1).
Adejobi said all the rescued individuals have been taken to the Police Clinic in Kaduna for medical examination and certified to be in stable and sound health.
He disclosed that in another operation, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit in Niger discovered 21 fabricated AK-47 rifles concealed in the vehicle.
One Jamilu Suleiman, aged 27, arrested over the incident, told the police that he was acting on an instruction to deliver the rifles to another person in Kaduna.
“On the same day, April 9, 2025, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a commercial Volkswagen Sharan vehicle at the Kawo Central Motor Park in Kaduna.
“Upon a thorough search, officers discovered 21 fabricated AK-47 rifles concealed within the vehicle,” the statement recounted.
“The suspect, identified as Jamilu Suleiman, a 27-year-old male resident of Rafin Guza, Kaduna, was arrested and is currently in custody. During the preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed that he was instructed by a union member to deliver the firearms to an unidentified individual in Kaduna.
“In a separate incident, on April 9, 2025, at about 0500hrs, the Police Command received a distress call from a Good Samaritan reporting an armed robbery in progress at Doggi Farm, located along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway.
“The Divisional Police Officer of Tafa Division swiftly mobilised a patrol team to the scene. Upon arrival, they engaged a gang of about 30 armed robbers, who had earlier invaded the premises, in a fierce gun battle.
“Two other injured suspects were apprehended and taken to the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Memorial Hospital, Sabon Wuse, for treatment.
“Unfortunately, one of them was later confirmed dead, while the other is alive and currently assisting the Police with further investigation.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang and bring them to justice.”
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