Insecurity: 557 murder suspects arrested, 324 kidnapped victims rescued in February – Police
In a significant crackdown on crime, the Nigeria Police Force announced on Monday that 557 suspects were arrested for murder incidents nationwide in February 2025. Additionally, 286 individuals were apprehended in connection with cases of rape and the defilement of minors.
The police revealed that a total of 324 kidnapped victims were rescued during this period, leading to the arrest of 335 suspects involved in kidnapping activities. A statement from the Force headquarters detailed that 602 armed robbery suspects were also taken into custody, along with 215 individuals linked to the unlawful possession of prohibited firearms and 276 suspected cultists. The police managed to recover 333 firearms and 6,422 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, as well as 200 stolen vehicles.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, provided specifics on notable arrests. On March 11, 2025, operatives of the IRT engaged and overpowered a group of kidnappers at Oshara Ganden, leading to the arrest of eight suspects and the recovery of several firearms and operational motorcycles.
In an earlier operation on January 27, 2025, IRT operatives arrested two individuals, Yakubu Musa and Usman Musa, linked to kidnapping and cattle rustling in Kaduna State, recovering three AK-47 rifles and ammunition.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Abubakar Lawan, Isiaku Abdullahi, and Abbas Maisaude on January 21, 2025, in connection with multiple kidnapping incidents across Kaduna and Niger States, along with firearms and ammunition.
These initiatives highlight the Nigeria Police Force’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property. The Force has called for continued public cooperation in combating crime, emphasizing that there will be no refuge for criminals in Nigeria.
Source: Vanguard newspaper
