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The Nigeria Police Force has recorded major breakthroughs in its efforts to curb violent crimes across the country, following coordinated operations in Enugu and Ogun States that led to the rescue of four kidnapped victims, the neutralisation of three armed suspects, the arrest of others, and the recovery of ransom money, firearms, and other incriminating items.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes through enhanced, technology-driven, and intelligence-led policing.
In Enugu State, police operatives, acting on a distress call from the Okpuje-Ani community in Nsukka Local Government Area on July 16, engaged a group of armed kidnappers spotted in a nearby forest. One suspect was neutralised during the operation, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. An AK-47 rifle with two live rounds was recovered at the scene.
Later that same day, the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad arrested a 23-year-old suspect, Aliyu Adamu, along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. Upon interrogation, Adamu confessed to participating in multiple abductions and admitted to being invited from Awka, Anambra State, to carry out criminal activities in Enugu.
In a related case, two women—Juliet Chukwu (39) and Nancy Chukwu (40)—were arrested on July 15 in connection with the kidnapping of their male relative, from whom they had demanded ₦50 million. The suspects were caught during the sharing of ₦10 million ransom, which had already been collected before the victim was safely rescued. A Toyota Corolla and the ransom money were recovered during the arrest.
Meanwhile, in Ogun State, a kidnapping incident involving three individuals in the Ajebo axis of the Owode Egba Division on July 16 prompted swift police action. At about 4:00 a.m. on July 20, police operatives—leveraging technology—tracked the kidnappers to their location along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. A gun battle ensued, leading to the neutralisation of two suspects and the rescue of all three victims unhurt.
Recovered from the Ogun operation were an AK-47 rifle, 139 rounds of live ammunition, a magazine, a cutlass, a chain and padlock used to restrain victims, ₦1.235 million suspected to be part of the ransom, and several mobile phones used in negotiations.
Commending the operatives involved, IGP Egbetokun lauded their professionalism and bravery. He noted that the operations reflect a strategic shift in policing priorities under his leadership—towards proactive measures rooted in intelligence and technology.
He assured Nigerians that the Force remains committed to dismantling criminal syndicates across all regions and restoring public trust in law enforcement and national security
