Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued four kidnapped victims and neutralised three suspected kidnappers in separate, intelligence-led operations in Enugu and Ogun states.

The coordinated raids also led to the arrest of several other suspects and the recovery of ransom money, firearms, and other incriminating items.

In a statement issued by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, IGP, reaffirmed the force’s commitment to eradicating violent crimes across the country through technology-driven and intelligence-led policing.

He said the latest breakthroughs reflect the strategic shift under his leadership toward proactive and professional security operations.

“In Enugu State, police operatives in collaboration with local security outfits responded swiftly to a distress call from Okpuje-Ani community in Nsukka Local Government Area on July 16, 2025.

“The team engaged armed kidnappers in a forested area around 3:00 p.m., during which one of the suspects was neutralised while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

“Recovered at the scene was an AK-47 rifle loaded with two live rounds of ammunition.

“Later that day, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad arrested 23-year-old Aliyu Adamu along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway following credible intelligence.

“During interrogation, he confessed to participating in several abductions and revealed he had been invited from Awka, Anambra State, to carry out criminal activities in Enugu”, the statement reads.

In a separate operation on July 15, 2025, the Enugu Command arrested two female suspects, 39-year-old Juliet Chukwu and 40-year-old Nancy Chukwu, while attempting to share ₦10 million in ransom collected from a relative they had conspired to kidnap.

The Police noted that the suspects had initially demanded ₦50 million, adding that the male victim was rescued unharmed, and the police recovered a Toyota Corolla vehicle used during the operation along with the ransom sum.

Similarly, in Ogun State, police responded to a kidnapping report involving three victims around the Ajebo area under the Owode Egba Division on July 16, 2025.

“Acting swiftly, tactical units of the Anti-Kidnapping team, aided by surveillance technology, tracked the suspects and engaged them in a gun duel along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway around 4:00 a.m. on July 20. Two suspects were neutralised, and all three victims were rescued unhurt.

“Items recovered from the operation include an AK-47 rifle, 139 rounds of live ammunition, one magazine, a cutlass, a chain and padlock used to restrain the victims, ₦1,235,000 believed to be part of the ransom, and multiple mobile phones used for ransom negotiations”, the statement noted.

Egbetokun praised the bravery and professionalism of the officers involved, noting that these operations demonstrate the effectiveness of ongoing reforms and operational strategies.

He urged continued public support, stressing that the timely reporting of suspicious activities is crucial to sustaining the fight against criminal syndicates and improving national security.