Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued 12 kidnapped victims and also recovered the sum of N10.3m cash in a series of operations across the country.
Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement issued Sunday also revealed that the operations led to the arrest of three suspected terrorists and recovery of arms and ammunition.
He noted that on April 17, 2025, about 1:02 a.m, police operatives in synergy with local vigilante groups acted on credible intelligence and stormed a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout on Cameron Street, Ubahu, in Okigwe LGA in Imo state.
Adejobi said: “On sighting the operatives, the suspected terrorists opened fire, resulting in a gun battle during which three suspects identified as Onyekaba Ikenna Innocent ‘m’ 21yrs, Ugwu Ikenna ‘m’ 31yrs, and Ofor Kasarachi ‘m’ 37yrs were arrested.
“Recovered from the scene were one AK-47 rifle, two pump-action guns, eighteen live cartridges, mobile devices, laptops, and ₦10.3 million in cash suspected to be proceeds of kidnapping for ransom”
Adejobi stressed that in Edo State, following the news of the abduction of 10 students who were on their way to Backcock University for the annual GYC Africa conference on the 16th of April 2025, police operatives of the State Command immediately picked up the trail of these kidnappers, and upon encounter, engaged them in a fierce gun duel.
He noted: “One of the kidnappers was neutralised in the process, and the 10 victims were rescued unhurt.
“Similarly, on the 18th of April 2025 at about 21:15hrs, the command operatives also successfully rescued two other kidnapped victims who had been kidnapped on the 14th of April 2025, at their residence in Oluoke community of the State.”