The Nigeria Police Force has announced the successful rescue of 13 kidnap victims in Kwara State and the arrest of five suspected armed robbers in Lagos State, following coordinated operations over the past week.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed on Sunday that the Nigerian Police Force has stepped up its efforts to tackle kidnapping, armed robbery, and other crimes nationwide. Recent coordinated operations in Lagos and Kwara States have proven successful, with the rescue of 13 kidnap victims and the apprehension of several armed robbery suspects.

“In a determined effort to sustain the fight against kidnapping, armed robbery, and other forms of criminality across the country, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have further intensified and reinvigorated their strategies, resulting in the successful rescue of numerous victims and the apprehension of several suspects. Over the past week, coordinated operations were conducted in various states, including Lagos and Kwara States, leading to the rescue of 13 individuals who had earlier been kidnapped and held for ransom, and the arrest of several armed robbery suspects.”

He stated that police operatives in Kwara State launched a rescue mission and stormed a kidnappers' den in the Idofin-Igbana area after receiving a distress call about the abduction of 13 people. He disclosed that the operatives faced resistance from the kidnappers but managed to overpower them, causing the kidnappers to flee with injuries and all 13 kidnapped victims were rescued successfully.

“On December 27, 2024, police operatives attached to the Kwara State Command mobilised and stormed a den of kidnappers in the Idofin-Igbana area of the state, after receiving a distress call of the abduction of 13 persons. The operatives encountered resistance from the kidnappers but successfully overpowered the kidnappers, causing them to flee the scene with various degrees of injuries and leading to the successful rescue of the 13 kidnapped victims.”

Adejobi revealed that the Lagos State Police Command on December 28, 2024, made two significant arrests after police responded to a public disturbance report where they apprehended one Lawan Mustapha and Aina Daniel, both 38 years old, with a double-barrel rifle, 90 live cartridges, and five model rifles.

He further stated that three suspected armed robbers were also arrested on the same day, and a search of the suspects led to the recovery of a locally made pistol, four live cartridges, and two cutlasses. These suspects are now in custody, pending prosecution after the conclusion of investigations.