The Police have arrested three suspected kidnappers and also rescued 29 kidnapped victims in a series of operations across Kogi, Lagos and Katsina state.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement issued Monday said on the 23rd June, 2025, police operatives attached to Kogi state Police command on patrol along Obajana–Oshokoshoko road successfully repelled a kidnap attempt on three commercial vehicles, engaging the kidnappers in a fierce gun duel and successfully rescued all 24 victims unhurt.
He explained that on 22nd June 2025, Police operatives attached to Okene Division, Kogi State, intercepted a suspicious Nissan vehicle heading towards Auchi.
The spokesperson noted that the driver of the vehicle absconded into the forest, leaving behind a bag.
He added: “A detailed search conducted on the vehicle led to the recovery of an AK-47rifle, 28 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, one G3 magazine, a black shirt, phone accessories, and other personal items contained inside a bag. Efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect.”
Adejobi stressed that police operatives attached to the Lagos State Command, acting on credible intelligence, responded to a reported case of abduction in Ikoga area of Morogbo recently.
He revealed that the victim, a 20-year-old male named Kehinde, was lured through WhatsApp and kidnapped by his assailants, who demanded a ransom of ₦500,000 from his family.
Adejobi said: “Swift police action led to the arrest of three suspects: Celestine Okeke (28), Michael Okonkwo (25), and Kehinde Oladun (30) and the rescue of the kidnapped victim unhurt and he has since been reunited with his family.
“In another development, operatives of the Katsina State command acting upon report of an attack and kidnapping attempt at Mazare village of the state, swiftly mobilized to the scene and the Police engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun duel.
“The kidnappers were overpowered by the superior fire power of the operatives, causing them to flee with various degrees of gunshot injuries, leading to the rescue of four kidnapped victims unhurt.”