Police neutralise 4 kidnappers, 5 ESN fighters, recover N3m in Kebbi, Imo

By John Ogunsemore

The Nigeria Police Force has neutralised four kidnappers and five terrorists in Kebbi and Imo States respectively.

Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

Adejobi disclosed that unknown armed men invaded Gobiraje village in Suru LGA of Kebbi State and kidnapped a 60-year-old man, Umaru Bawa.

He said operatives of the Kebbi State Police Command swung into action upon receipt of the report of the incident and trailed the suspects to Tundafari Forest in the Dakingari axis of the State and engaged them in a fierce gun duel.

“Consequently, 4 of the kidnappers were neutralised and 1 arrested with fatal injuries while the kidnapped victim was rescued unhurt.

“The operatives also recovered the cash sum of Three Million Naira (N3,000,000) already paid to the kidnappers as ransom,” the FPRO said.

In Imo State, police operatives attached to the state command in collaboration with other security agencies carried out a tactical operation targeting an IPOB/ESN terrorist camp located in Ezioha Mbaitolu within the Umuele Umuaka Njaba LGA of the State on February 8.

Adejobi said the operation led to the neutralisation of 2 ESN kingpins, the recovery of 7 AK-47 rifles, 13 pump-action guns, hundreds of assorted live ammunition and the successful dislodgement of the camp.

“As a follow up, on February 9 2025, the operatives moved to the Nkwukwo Forest in Mbaitoli LGA, at the boundary with Ubachima Forest in Awomama Oru West LGA, Imo State, where the team intercepted a group of terrorists who opened fire upon sighting the police.

“During the ensuing exchange, 3 terrorist kingpins were further neutralised, 2 AK47 rifles each loaded with 36 rounds of live ammunition, 1 pump-action gun, 1 cutlass, 4 motorcycles, and various criminal charms were as well recovered,” he added.

The FPRO said the operations reflect the commitment of the force to maintaining law while also showing its determination to dismantle criminal networks that threaten the safety of citizens.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, commended the brave efforts of the operatives involved and emphasised the need for continued vigilance in the fight against crime.