Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force has neutralised three suspected kidnappers during gun duel in Benue State.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, disclosed that during the hostage rescue operation carried out on December 31, 2024 at Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, a kidnapped person identified as Tor Gajir was rescued unhurt.
He said operatives of the Vandiekya Police Divisional Headquarters, Benue State, had received a distress call concerning the kidnap of Gajir by unknown gunmen at the Kwande LGA of the state before embarking on the rescue operation.
“Upon receipt of this information, investigation was swiftly escalated, and the police operatives followed the trail to one Desmond Ahar. The suspect was accosted, and subsequent interrogation revealed the suspect was part of the kidnappers. The suspect, Desmond Ahar, then led the operatives to where the victim was being kept at Adikpo, Benue State. Upon arrival at the kidnappers’ den, the kidnappers spotted the police operatives and immediately engaged them in a gun duel.
“In the ensuing confrontation, officers were able to neutralize three of the suspects, while others fled with bullet wounds,” Adejobi explained.
The FPRO said that the victim was rescued unhurt and immediately given medical attention to assess any physical or psychological impact.
According to him, the success of the operation also led to the recovery of 2 AK-47 and 6 loaded magazines, with several live ammunition, adding that efforts are intensified to apprehend the fleeing member of the gang and recover other arms.
In a similar operation in Nasarawa State, Adejobi said police operatives attached to the state command located an abandoned sienna vehicle on December 28, 2024, along Keffi-Kaduna Highway, Angwan Wayo Village, suspected to have been attacked.
He said the operatives followed the trail and located two hostages who had been captured by kidnappers, noting that the victims were rescued unhurt, and efforts are still ongoing to arrest the fleeing kidnappers.
On January 7, 2025, he explained how police operatives of the Bayelsa State Command intercepted one Usman Mohammed en route to Rivers State, thoroughly conducted a search that led to the recovery of 1 AK-47 rifle, 1 Type 09 AR, 2 AK-47 Magazines, 2 Type 09 AR Magazines, and 120 rounds of ammunition of various calibers that were concealed by the vehicle.
“The suspect has been arrested, and the investigation is still ongoing,” the police spokesman said.
According to him, the successful operations were in a bid to solidify internal security and guarantee safety for all Nigerians.
He assured that the Nigeria Police Force, through the recent efforts, has again re-echoed its readiness to re-strategize operations in curbing kidnapping and similar crimes across the country.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has commended the operatives for these successes recorded specifically in the affected states and across the country in general, while charging them to sustain the tempo to attain excellence in internal security and safety in Nigeria.
