The Nigeria Police Force has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing clampdown on cultism, gunrunning, kidnapping and vehicle theft in a series of coordinated, intelligence-led operations across Delta, Edo, Katsina, and Adamawa states.
A press release on Monday, July 7, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained that two victims, Godday Irieude and Wisdom Emeka, were rescued unhurt after a fierce gun battle between police operatives and kidnappers in Edo State.
Naijaonpoint understands that the duo were abducted from their farm in Ewatto around 1:00 a.m. on June 26, 2025.
According to a police statement, operatives working with local vigilantes trailed the kidnappers to their hideout.
“The kidnappers engaged our team in a fierce gun duel, but the superior firepower of the operatives forced them to flee with gunshot injuries,” the statement noted.
In Delta State, two suspected cultists, Koko Josh (29) and Asomugha Clinton (27), were arrested in Mosogar following a raid on their residence. Recovered from the suspects were a fabricated Baretta pistol loaded with two live rounds, two locally made guns, eight cartridges, mobile phones, a laptop and fetish items.
Further investigations led to the arrest of two more suspects, Anthony Kelvin (26) and Gift Amotsuka (25), all confirmed to be members of the Aiye Confraternity.
In a separate operation in Okpanam, the police apprehended Ekene Chroma (36) and Okafor Jonathan (18), who were caught with two English-made single-barrel guns and 110 live cartridges. Preliminary findings revealed they were involved in arms trafficking, supplying weapons to wanted criminals.
Also, operatives from the Force Intelligence Department, Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) arrested Yunusa Ishaku (40) in Funtua, Katsina State, with two stolen vehicles, a Toyota Hiace and a Toyota Camry.
Naijaonpoint learnt that during interrogation, Ishaku confessed to being part of a syndicate that steals vehicles from cities like Abuja and Jos and smuggles them into Niger Republic for resale.
His confession led investigators to three other stolen vehicles, a Honda Accord, a Toyota Carina II, and another Toyota Camry, recovered in Zamfara and Bauchi States. Police say efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
In another breakthrough, the FID-IRT team arrested a suspected arms dealer, Alhaji Iya Bima (52), in Kem Shithem LGA, Adamawa State.
He was found in possession of one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and fifty rounds of live 7.62x39mm ammunition. Further interrogation led to the recovery of another AK-47 rifle, three additional magazines, and 50 rounds of ammunition.
Reacting, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the operations, reiterating the Force’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks across the country through intelligence-driven policing.
“Our operatives will continue to disrupt criminal syndicates and restore sanity to communities,” he said.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and support police efforts by reporting suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through our emergency lines.”
All suspects will be charged in court upon conclusion of investigations, the statement noted.