Police recover N10m ransom, kill two suspects in operations across 10 states

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has recovered a ₦10 million ransom, neutralised two suspects and arrested several others during multiple operations across 10 states of the federation.

This was contained in an official operational report made available to journalists in Abuja on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, CSP Ani Ineidu.

The report explained that the operations also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, suspected illicit drugs, stolen property and other exhibits.

According to the statement, in Kano State, police operatives, working with local hunters, rescued two kidnapping victims unharmed after a tactical ambush on suspected abductors following the collection of a ₦10 million ransom.

It added that two suspected abductors were neutralised, while the ransom was recovered intact. Another suspect reportedly escaped with injuries.

The report further stated that, in Adamawa State, three suspected kidnappers were arrested during a raid on a suspected kidnapping syndicate’s hideout in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area. During the operation, police operatives recovered two AK-47 rifles and 45 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition after an exchange of gunfire.

In Imo State, police arrested a suspected kingpin linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), alongside three other suspects.

“One AK-47 rifle, 21 rounds of ammunition, mobile phones and charms were recovered,” the statement said.

It added that information obtained during interrogation had led to ongoing operations to rescue kidnapped victims and apprehend other suspects.

Delta State recorded multiple operations, including the arrest of three suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity in Ughelli South, where two locally made pistols, cartridges, cult regalia and charms were recovered.

According to the report, another 10 suspected cultists were arrested in a separate operation at Jeddo community in the state.

In another operation in Delta State, police arrested a suspected armed robber who was allegedly attempting to dispose of a Mercedes-Benz ML350 SUV stolen during an armed robbery in Edo State. The vehicle was recovered, and the victim was contacted.

The police also arrested another suspected armed robber in Ughelli North and recovered a locally made firearm and live ammunition.

In Ika South, four suspects were arrested at a suspected criminal hideout, with a double-barrelled pump-action gun, a laptop, six mobile phones and camouflage clothing recovered.

In Enugu State, police arrested a suspected drug peddler. During a raid on the suspect’s residence, officers recovered a locally made firearm, three expended cartridges, suspected cannabis, sachets of Tramadol, other suspected illicit drugs and charms.

In Akwa Ibom State, three suspects were arrested during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Eket Local Government Area.

“Police recovered a Tecno Android phone suspected to have been stolen, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and other exhibits,” the statement said.

Similarly, in Nasarawa State, police arrested a suspect following a petition over alleged unlawful possession of firearms.

A search conducted in New Nyanya led to the recovery of a locally made pistol, while efforts were ongoing to arrest another suspect and recover ammunition.

The report added that the cases were under investigation by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments in Kano, Yola, Owerri, Asaba, Enugu, Uyo and Lafia, respectively.

The police reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to combating kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, drug trafficking and other criminal activities, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information to security agencies.