The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Intervention Squad (ISI) has made significant strides in the fight against kidnapping, with the recent arrest of several suspects, including 38-year-old Saidu Abdulkadir, who has long been sought by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command for his alleged involvement as an informant to bandits.
A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday detailed the recent successful operations conducted by police operatives.
He said that on February 5, operatives neutralized Isa Dei-Dei, a gang leader of a notorious kidnapping syndicate in the Dei-Dei axis of the FCT. Additionally, on February 8, a group of notorious kidnappers and gun runners were engaged and neutralized along Keffi Gidan Wire road, Nasarawa State.
Furthermore, on February 15, combined teams of the FCT Anti-Kidnapping Unit and local security operatives rescued two kidnap victims and apprehended Saidu Abdulkadir in Nasarawa State. Abdulkadir, who had been on the wanted list of the FCT Police Command, was identified as an informant to the bandits.
In another operation on the same day, unknown gunmen abducted three individuals in Pankshin, Plateau State. Prompt response from police operatives and local security forces led to the rescue of the victims and the fleeing of the hoodlums.
Additionally, in Nasarawa State, police operatives arrested Daniel Akpadiaha for the attempted abduction and stabbing of Martha Dogara. Further investigations led to the recovery of the victim’s belongings and a locally made pistol.
The statement also highlighted a raid conducted by the Lagos State Command’s tactical team, resulting in the arrest of 22 suspects, including Emeka Collins, who had been on the wanted list of the Lagos State Command.
Adejobi reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to tackle crime and criminality, promising relentless efforts until peace and tranquility are achieved in the country. Regarding ongoing cases such as the Ekiti school pupils’ kidnapping and the killings of traditional rulers in Ekiti and Kwara, Adejobi assured Nigerians that the suspects would be apprehended soon.
STATEMENT IN FULL READS:
“Police operatives on the 5th of February had also neutralised one Isa Dei-Dei, a gang leader of another notorious kidnapping syndicate which terrorised the Dei-Dei axis of the FCT and in a similar event, in the early hours of February 8 2024, the operatives of the FID-IRT engaged and neutralised a group of notorious kidnappers and gun runners along Keffi Gidan Wire road, Nasarawa State.
“At noon on February 15th 2024, combined teams of the FCT Anti-Kidnapping Unit and local security operatives working on credible intelligence advanced to a bandit camp at Nasarawa State and engaged the bandits in an intense gun duel which led to the bandits retreating and the rescue of 2 kidnapped victims who had been abducted three (3) weeks prior. Further investigation also led to the arrest of one Saidu Abdulkadir ‘m’ 38yrs who has been on the wanted list of the FCT Police Command as an informant to the bandits.
“On the 15th of February 2024, at about 8:30 PM, a report was made at Pankshin Division, Plateau State that a group of unknown gunmen had invaded the residence of one Ann John ‘F’ at GRA Pankshin and abducted three (3) persons to an unknown destination.
“Upon receipt of this information, Police Operatives swung into action alongside local security operatives and trailed the hoodlums into the bushes along Pankshin Dam where they engaged them in a gun battle. Perceiving the superior firepower of the Police Operatives, the hoodlums quickly abandoned the kidnapped victims and fled. The victims were rescued and have been given medical attention. Efforts are being augmented to arrest the fleeing hoodlums.
“On the same 15th of February 2024, Nigeria Police Operatives of the Nasarawa State arrested one Daniel Akpadiaha ‘m’ 42yrs for the attempted abduction of one Martha Dogara ‘f’ 31yrs whom the suspect had met on her way returning home on the 13th of February 2024.
“On the same 15th of February 2024, Nigeria Police Operatives of the Nasarawa State arrested one Daniel Akpadiaha ‘m’ 42yrs for the attempted abduction of one Martha Dogara ‘f’ 31yrs whom the suspect had met on her way returning home on the 13th of February 2024.
“Operatives of the Lagos State Command tactical team on the 15th of February 2024 at about 10 AM also raided several criminal hideouts at the Ijanikin, Alasia and Era axis of Lagos and arrested 22 suspects including one Emeka Collins ‘m’ 36yrs who had been on the wanted list of the Lagos State Command.
“Day by day, the men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force continually strive and intensify efforts to tackle every form of crime and criminality and ensure the transformation of our dear country into a haven for our good citizens. And to the deviants of the society, let it be known that there is no place to hide nor flourish here. We will keep coming for you and eradicating you from our society until we attain the peace and tranquillity we desire”.
In the case of the Ekiti school pupils’ kidnapping and the killings of traditional rulers in Ekiti and Kwara respectively, Adejobi said: “we assure Nigerians that we are closing in on the suspects and all of them involved will be apprehended in no distant time.”
