The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has recorded major breakthroughs in its intelligence-led operations against kidnapping, armed robbery, firearms trafficking and terrorism-related activities, arresting suspects and recovering firearms and ammunition across several states.
The operations also led to the rescue of a two-year-old boy whose mother and two other suspects allegedly conspired to fake his kidnapping and demand ₦15 million ransom from his grandmother.
In one of the cases, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID), acting on credible intelligence, arrested Nansik Wuyep Sule, 34, in Jos, Plateau State, on July 23, 2026.
During interrogation, Sule allegedly confessed to conspiring with Catherine Davou, the mother of the child, to stage the boy’s kidnapping. The child was reportedly hidden at Davou’s residence while another suspect, Luka Emmanuel Butdam, allegedly contacted the child’s grandmother and demanded ₦15 million ransom.
All three suspects were subsequently arrested, while the child was rescued and taken to hospital for medical attention before being handed over to his biological father.
In another operation, the FID arrested Idris Mohammed, alias Yellow, described by the police as a suspected kidnapper, in Bauchi State on July 28.
The suspect was reportedly found in possession of a red 2012 Toyota Corolla, registration number SMK 611 BF, which was allegedly abandoned during a kidnapping operation. The vehicle was recovered and subsequently released to the complainant.
A second suspect, Mohammed Bello Adams, was later arrested in Nasarawa State in connection with Mohammed’s activities.
Police investigations further linked the suspects to the alleged kidnapping of Pastor David Dahni and Abdullahi Abubakar, with ransoms of ₦7.5 million and ₦3 million respectively reportedly paid for their release.
Meanwhile, the Intelligence Response Team arrested eight suspects allegedly involved in kidnapping and illegal firearms procurement and supply in Imo and Rivers states.
The suspects, received from the Office of the National Security Adviser on June 4, include Mohammadu Sani, Moses Daniel, Usman Mohammad, Aliyu Manu, Ibrahim Mohammed, Samaila Ibrahim, Ahmed Abubakar and Umaru Abdullahi.
Mohammadu Sani, identified as the alleged gang leader, was arrested on the outskirts of Owerri, Imo State, where one AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the group had relocated from Kogi State to Port Harcourt and was allegedly involved in multiple kidnapping operations across Rivers and Imo states.
The police also alleged that the suspects were involved in the illegal procurement and supply of firearms, adding that a prima facie case had been established against them while investigations continued.
In a separate operation targeting firearms trafficking in the North-Central region, operatives arrested Yakubu Danladi Pam and Abdulsalam Mohammed Hussain.
The investigation, which commenced on June 22 following actionable intelligence, allegedly linked Pam to the illegal supply and sale of firearms. A locally fabricated AK-47 rifle without magazine or ammunition was recovered from him.
Further intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of Hussain in Jos, Plateau State, on June 30. Police said one Type 06 rifle, two magazines and 28 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from him.
According to the police, investigations indicated Hussain’s involvement in the supply and transportation of firearms across the North-Central and North-Eastern regions, with efforts ongoing to identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In Katsina State, six suspects were also arrested in an operation targeting the illegal buying and selling of arms and ammunition.
The suspects, identified as Kabiru Mohammed, Muhammad Sani, Brahim Musa Lawan, Yusuf Shuaibu, Manner Abdulmumuni and Fatima Ishiaku, were arrested on March 29 following intelligence obtained through intercepted phone communications.
Police said 78 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, four rounds of red cartridges, a long knife, multiple charms and ₦220,000 cash were recovered and registered as exhibits.
The investigation allegedly identified three other individuals—Alhaji Abdulbashir, Alhaji Ado Garba and Alhaji Babban Kifi—as collaborators who were said to have lured the suspects into the arms trade because of its perceived profitability.
The police said the female suspect allegedly acted as a courier for delivering arms and ammunition to prospective customers, while the three alleged collaborators remained at large.
The Force said the successes reflected the importance of intelligence-led policing, sustained investigations and inter-agency collaboration in confronting emerging and established threats to public safety.
It reaffirmed its commitment to disrupting kidnapping networks, firearms trafficking, violent criminal enterprises and fraudulent schemes, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and provide relevant information to the police through established channels.
