Police nab 93 suspected kidnappers, recover many weapons, munitions

The efforts of the Nigeria Police Force in tackling the rash of kidnappings giving Nigerian s serious nightmares have yielded another heavy harvest of arrests of suspected kidnappers and sundry criminals across the country.

A release issued, Thursday, by Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, also a deputy commissioner of police, DCP, revealed that operatives of Operation Puff Adder arrested 93 suspected kidnappers from different parts of the north central, north western and north eastern parts of the country.

Similarly, the operatives, according to Mba, recovered, from the criminals, one rocket launcher, 35 AK 47 rifles, 10 locally-made AK47 rifles and 500 live ammunition.

Other items recovered from the suspects included: eight locally-made revolver pistols, 10 pairs of military camouflage uniform, two operational vehicles, and other incriminating items.

Mba, in the release, revealed that the “operations leading to these arrests and recoveries were carried out by joint team of police operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder, north central sector.

“The team consists of detectives from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Force Intelligence Unit, Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS). Other operatives in the joint mission include personnel from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU) and the Special Forces.”

Meanwhile, police investigators, backed by their counterparts in the Forensic and Technical Intelligence Units, have commenced comprehensive investigation of all the 93 suspected kidnappers.

“The investigations, among other things, are aimed at tracking, uncovering and disrupting the sources of arms supply to the criminal groups, as well as identifying their collaborators, and bringing all involved in these heinous crimes to justice,” Mba further disclosed, adding: the arrests were indicative of the fact that “the security agents are now winning the war against the criminal elements.”

Meanwhile, the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has commended his officer and men for their sacrifice and resilience, and reiterated that the Nigeria Police, under his watch remained resolutely committed to restoring sanity on the nation’s highways and inside the towns and cities.

Adamu was also full of praises and gratitude to the general public for providing credible intelligence that has helped the police in achieving the successes recorded so far.  ​