N8.5 million ransom payments recovered by Police from from suspected kidnappers

The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of ₦8.5 million from suspected kidnappers following two separate operations in July 2025.

The announcement was made by the State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, during a press briefing in Asaba on Tuesday.

According to Abaniwonda, the first recovery of ₦5 million occurred on July 12, when operatives from the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad tracked a group of kidnappers to their hideout in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area.

A suspect, identified as Sanusi Abdulahi, was arrested in possession of the money, which the police believe was part of a ransom from a recent kidnapping.

The police commissioner added that Abdulahi’s gang is allegedly responsible for a series of kidnappings in the Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, Obulu-Okiti, Issele-Uku, and Issele-Asagba areas.

In a separate incident, the police also recovered an additional ₦3.5 million from a different group of suspected kidnappers. This recovery was made after the gang had abducted two female polytechnic students.

“The recovery was made when operatives stormed Ogwashi‑Uku forest on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

“At about 11 pm, operatives of the Special Anti‑Kidnapping and Cybercrime Squad, in collaboration with men of the Nigerian Army attached to the 63 Brigade, embarked on an intelligence‑led operation and stormed the Ogwashi‑Uku forest, the hideout of suspected kidnappers who abducted two female polytechnic students on July 23, 2025, at Asagba Ogwashi.

“The combined team engaged the suspects in a gun duel, which led to the death of two of the suspected kidnappers.

“One AK‑47 rifle, 39 rounds of live ammunition, and a bag containing N3,500,000 suspected to be ransom collected from one of their victims were recovered,” he said.

NPF acquire modern equipment, strengthens Intelligence Unit, increaze training of officers – IGP

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has enhanced the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force’s Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) by acquiring new technology and launching comprehensive training programmes aimed at improving intelligence-led policing across the country.

According to a statement by the Force Spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the newly acquired state-of-the-art technological devices and applications will support the TIU in crime detection, prevention, and the swift arrest of suspects.

Egbetokun has also directed the commencement of intensive training for TIU personnel in line with global intelligence standards.

The statement reads: “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, in a bid to bolster the fight against violent crimes across the country and boost the intelligence gathering prowess of the Force, has acquired state-of-the-art technological devices and applications for the Technical Intelligence Unit ( TIU) to aid them in crime detection, prevention and swift arrest of criminals.

“Similarly, the IGP has also directed the commencement of comprehensive training programs for personnel of the Force’s Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) in line with global intelligence standards. These rigorous training programs are designed to equip them with the prerequisite knowledge to operate the newly deployed technologies, ensuring the Force remains adaptable and capable in the face of evolving criminal trends and practices.

“The continuous change in crime dynamics globally and within Nigeria informs the timely and consistent efforts of the IGP at improving and upscaling police crime fighting approach to intelligence and technology driven. The recent successes recorded, including the arrest of notorious arms peddling gang operating in Benue, Taraba, Adamawa and, Plateau States, and numerous arrests in recent weeks are all gains of the improved effectiveness of our intelligence-led policing.

“The Inspector-General of Police therefore reaffirms the dedication of the Nigeria Police Force under his leadership to emplacing measures to prevent crimes and criminality across the country while assuring Nigerians of robust response to emerging security threats.”

Ten AK-47 rifles retrieved as Police operatives kill three bandits kingpins

The Nigeria Police Force says it has neutralised three armed bandits and recovered ten AK-47 rifles during a series of intelligence-led operations conducted in July across several northern states.

According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operations, carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), targeted criminal syndicates across Taraba, Plateau, Adamawa, Nasarawa, and Niger States.

The bandits, who attempted to flee upon sighting security operatives, were fatally engaged in gunfire and subdued.

The police said the assailants abandoned their weapons while fleeing into nearby terrain with various degrees of gunshot injuries.

The recovered rifles are believed to have been used in kidnappings, armed robberies, gunrunning and cattle rustling.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to safeguarding national security. He noted that intelligence-led strategies would continue to be employed to dismantle criminal networks threatening the country’s peace and stability.

Follow-up tactical missions are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the syndicates believed to be responsible for deadly attacks on communities in the affected areas.

The IGP urged the public to support ongoing efforts by reporting suspicious activity through official channels or nearby police formations.