Operatives of the Kaduna Police Command Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser, on Wednesday, rescued 17 victims who were abducted from Sarkin Pawa, Niger State, on March 3.
The police said the operation was achieved through a non-kinetic approach, and was evidence of the commitment of the Inspector–General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to leverage intelligence-led policing and inter-agency synergy to address security challenges.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the development.
The statement by the Force PRO gave 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).
Others are 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).
The statement further indicated that all the rescued individuals have been taken to the Police Clinic in Kaduna for medical examination and have been certified to be in stable and sound health.
“On April 9, 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, successfully rescued 17 victims who had been abducted on March 3, 2025, from Sarkin Pawa, Niger State.
In another operation on Wednesday, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit in the state 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 read.
“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 another operation, the command’s neutralised three armed robbers who invaded the Doggi Farm, location along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway for a robbery operation.
Acting upon a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer of Tafa Division had mobilised a patrol team to the farm where a gun duel ensued.
During the exchange of gunfire, two of the robbers were neutralized, while one other who was apprehended and taken to the hospital for treatment was later confirmed dead.
The statement held that one of the fleeing robbers was apprehended and assisting the police with its investigation.
The statement read, “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.”
PUNCH.
