Police rescue 16 trafficked, kidnapped victims across two states

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The police force headquarters in Abuja has reported that its operatives, attached to the Kaduna State Command, arrested three suspects while trafficking 13 victims to Oyo State in an unmarked vehicle.

Force Public Relations Officer Olumiyiwa Adejobi, who made this known, said the suspects—Samson Peter (25), Haruna Duniya (45), and Abdulazaq Olawole (58)—were arrested on 31 January 2025, at about 7 pm.

Adejobi, in a statement, said the operation is part of the police’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national security and crackdown on various forms of organised crime, particularly human trafficking and kidnapping.

Adejobi stated, “In furtherance of the IGP’s directive on the implementation of the police’s action plan for the year 2025.”

Similarly, on 29 January 2025, police operatives of the Ogun State Command carried out a covert operation and located the den of kidnappers responsible for an earlier reported abduction on 25 January 2025. Upon sighting the operatives, the gang engaged the police operatives in a gun duel.

The confrontation led to the neutralisation of five of the gang members and the successful rescue of the three kidnapped victims, with the recovery of arms and ammunition of various calibres, three mobile phones, and the cash sum of ₦5.2 million (five million, two hundred thousand Naira only). Also recovered were the vehicles of the kidnapped victims.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their exhibition of gallantry, dedication to duty, and patriotism.

The IGP further encouraged all police officers to remain relentless towards the goal of achieving peace and reassured members of the public that the police force remains committed to effectively combatting all security threats.