Police Rescue 17 Abducted Victims, Recover 21 Fabricated AK-47 Rifles, Neutralise 3 Armed Robbers

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced that it recorded breakthroughs in its recent operations, including the rescue of 17 kidnapped victims in Sarkin Pawa area of Niger State.

The rescued victims, abducted on March 3, 2025, were eventually rescued on April 9, 2025, and they include Williams Ubadia, 15; Samuel Ezekiel, 15; Duza Ezekiel, 13; Ishaku Ishaya, 12; Sunday Ezekiel, 8; Jessy Friday, 6 and Rebecca Ezekiel, 32.

Others are Jummai Ishaya, 32; 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.

ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this during a brief briefing on Thursday, noting that the feats achieved are in line with the operational directives and strategic vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, geared towards tackling violent crimes, dismantling criminal networks, and enhancing public safety across the country.

“On 9th April 2025, in a remarkable feat of inter-agency collaboration and strategic intelligence deployment, operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), successfully rescued 17 victims who had been abducted on 3rd March 2025 from Sarkin Pawa, Niger State.

“This operation, notably achieved through a non-kinetic approach, evidences the commitment of the IGP to leveraging intelligence-led policing and inter-agency synergy to address security challenges. All rescued individuals were promptly taken to the Police Clinic in Kaduna for medical examination and have been certified to be in stable and sound health,” ACP Adejobi stated.

According to him, on the same day, April 9, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit acting on credible intelligence intercepted a commercial Volkswagen Sharan vehicle at the Kawo Central Motor Park in Kaduna.

He mentioned that upon thorough search, officers discovered 21 fabricated AK-47 rifles concealed within the vehicle.

“The suspect, identified as Jamilu Suleiman, a 27-year-old male resident of Rafin Guza, Kaduna, was arrested and is currently in custody. During preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed that he was instructed by a union member to deliver the firearms to an unidentified individual in Kaduna.”

The spokesperson said that a full-scale investigation has commenced to dismantle the arms trafficking network and bring all perpetrators to book.

In another operation on April 9 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 (DPO) of Tafa Division swiftly mobilised a patrol team to the scene and upon arrival, they engaged a gang of about 30 armed robbers, who had earlier invaded the premises, in a fierce gun battle.

Adejobi disclosed that during the exchange of gunfire, two of the robbers were neutralised, while others fled towards the nearby hills.

He stated that 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,” he added.