The Nigeria Police Force said that its operatives have killed three armed robbers, rescued 17 kidnap victims, and recovered 21 fabricated AK-47 rifles in a series of coordinated operations in Kaduna State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who made this known in a statement issued on Thursday, said the operations conducted on Wednesday were carried out by operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
According to Adejobi, the 17 victims were abducted on March 3, 2025, from Sarkin Pawa, Niger State.
He said their rescue was achieved through a non-kinetic, intelligence-led approach, underscoring the effectiveness of inter-agency synergy in combating crime.
The rescued victims include adults and children, ranging in age from one to 35 years. All individuals have been medically examined at the police clinic in Kaduna and confirmed to be in stable condition.
Adejobi identified the rescued victims to include:
- Williams Ubadia (15)
- Samuel Ezekiel (15)
- Duza Ezekiel (13)
- Ishaku Ishaya (12)
- Sunday Ezekiel (8)
- Jessy Friday (6)
- Rebecca Ezekiel (32)
- Jummai Ishaya (32)
- Terriza Friday (30)
- Alice Ezekiel (35)
- Victoria Ishaya (32)
- Blessing Ezekiel (20)
- Gloria Ubadia (13)
- Gift Ubadia (10)
- Charity Ezekiel (9)
- Alheri Ishaya (5)
- Favour Ezekiel (1)
In a separate operation on the same day, police officers intercepted a commercial Volkswagen Sharan vehicle at Kawo Central Motor Park, Kaduna. A search revealed 21 fabricated AK-47 rifles hidden inside the vehicle.
The suspect, Jamilu Suleiman, aged 27, from Rafin Guza, Kaduna, was arrested. During interrogation, he confessed he had been instructed to deliver the firearms to an unknown individual.
The police spokesperson said a full investigation has been launched into the arms trafficking ring, with efforts underway to track and prosecute all involved parties.
Also, police responded to a distress call at Doggi Farm along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway at approximately 5 a.m. Upon arrival, officers engaged in a gun battle with a group of around 30 armed robbers who had stormed the premises.
Two robbers were fatally shot during the exchange, while others fled into nearby hills.
Two additional suspects were captured with injuries. One later died at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Memorial Hospital, while the other is receiving treatment and cooperating with investigators.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang and bring them to justice,” Adejobi stated.
