The Nigeria Police Force has intercepted kidnap operations in Kogi, Lagos, and Katsina States, rescued 29 kidnapped victims and arrested three suspected kidnappers across the mentioned states.
In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Monday on X (formerly Twitter), the force stated that it has done all this in a bid to restore peace and confidence in the nation’s security system.
The operations were directed by the Inspector-General of Police, IG Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.
In Kogi State, on June 23, 2025, the command intercepted a kidnap attempt along the Obajana–Oshokoshoko road while on patrol.
According to the statement, the officers engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun duel and in the process, 24 passengers from three commercial vehicles who were victims, were rescued.
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In another operation in the same state on 22nd (the previous day), a vehicle suspected to have been used for kidnap operations was intercepted in Auchi.
“On 22nd June 2025, Police operatives attached to Okene Division, Kogi State, intercepted a suspicious Nissan vehicle heading towards Auchi. The driver of the vehicle absconded into the forest, leaving behind a bag. A detailed search conducted on the vehicle, led to the recovery of an AK-47rifle, 28 rounds of 5.6mm ammunition, one G3 magazine, a black shirt, phone accessories, and other personal items contained inside a bag. Efforts are undeway to apprehend the fleeing suspect,” the statement read in part.
The Lagos state command, on the other hand, rescued 20-year-old Kehinde who was reportedly lured from WhatsApp and kidnapped.
The statement added; “In Lagos, police operatives attached to the state command responded swiftly to a case of abduction in the Ikoga area of Morogbo. The victim, a 20-year-old male identified as Kehinde, was reportedly lured through WhatsApp and kidnapped. His abductors demanded a ransom of ₦500,000 from his family. Acting on credible intelligence, police arrested three suspects — Celestine Okeke (28), Michael Okonkwo (25), and Kehinde Oladun (30). The victim was rescued unhurt and has since been reunited with his family.”
Meanwhile, the force disclosed that operatives in Kastina State got a report of an ongoing Kidnap in Mazare village, they reportedly mobilized and engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel.
“In another development, operatives of the Kastina State command acting upon report of an attack and kidnapping attempt at Mazare village of the state, swiftly mobilised to the scene, and the police engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun duel. The kidnappers were overpowered by the superior firepower of the operatives, causing them to flee with various degrees of gunshot injuries, leading to the rescue of 4 kidnapped victims unhurt,” he stated.
IGP Kayode Egbetokun, lauded the officers involved in the reported operations for bravery and professionalism.
