Police rescues kidnap victim, arrest suspects, recover weapons, monies
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigeria Police Force has successfully rescued a kidnap victim, arrested three suspected kidnappers, and recovered an arsenal of sophisticated weapons, ammunition, and millions of naira in cash in Akwa Ibom and Nasarawa States.
A statement on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that on 16th August 2025, police operatives from Eket Division swiftly responded to a distress call in Afia Nsit, Eket, Akwa Ibom State.
Their prompt action led to the rescue of one Emerson and the arrest of two suspects, Okon Edem Okon and Emmanuel Bassey.
A subsequent search uncovered a cache including “one AK-47 rifle, one assault rifle, 67 rounds of ammunition, one pump-action shotgun with six live cartridges, six magazines, and a mobile phone,” suspected to belong to the kidnappers.
Similarly, in Nasarawa State on 18th August, operatives responded to a lone vehicle crash near VIO checkpoint.
The abandoned Opel Vectra contained a “G3 rifle.” Further investigation at the police station revealed additional weapons including “one AK-47 rifle, one Type 06 rifle, one G3 rifle, three magazines, 57 rounds of live ammunition,” and ₦6,908,150 in cash.
Following an extensive manhunt, one suspect, Mohammed Tahir, was arrested.
He confessed to belonging to a seven-man kidnapping gang responsible for abducting a lawyer in Abuja’s Nyanya district.
The police have pledged to continue efforts to apprehend the remaining gang members and prosecute all arrested suspects.
“Efforts are underway to ensure other fleeing members of the kidnapping gangs are apprehended, and upon conclusion of investigation, all arrested suspected would be charged to court accordingly.
“These consecutive successes reinforce the renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, to clamp down on criminal elements threatening public safety and security across the country,” the statement established.
The IGP therefore commended the swift action of the operatives, the synergy with community members, and the vigilance of patriotic citizens whose timely information proved crucial.
“The Force will not relent in its efforts to ensure criminals have no safe haven in Nigeria,” Adejobi added.
