By Bukola Olamona

The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its crackdown on criminal elements, neutralising nine terrorists and recovering 23 firearms and ammunition in recent operations.

In a statement made available to The Hope Metro, the police detailed how operatives thwarted criminal activities across different states.

One of the operations, carried out on February 14, 2025, followed the abduction of a 60-year old man, Umaru Bawa, in Gobiraje Village, Suru Local Government area of Kebbi State.

Acting on intelligence, police operatives trailed the kidnappers to Tundafari Forest in the Dakingari axis, engaging them in a fierce gun battle.

Four of the suspects were neutralised, while another was arrested with fatal injuries. The abducted victim was rescued unharmed, and officers recovered ₦3 million, which had already been paid as ransom.

Similarly, on February 8, security operatives attached to the Imo State Police command, in collaboration with other agencies, raided an IPOB/ESN terrorist camp in Ezioha Mbaitolu, Umuele Umuaka Njaba Local Government area.

The operation led to the neutralisation of two ESN kingpins, the dislodgement of the camp, and the recovery of seven AK-47 rifles, 13 pump-action guns, and hundreds of rounds of live ammunition.

A follow-up operation on February 9 took the operatives to Nkwukwo Forest in Mbaitoli Local Government area, near the boundary with Ubachima Forest in Awomama Oru West. There, the terrorists engaged the police in a gun duel but were overpowered.

“Three terrorist kingpins were neutralised, while officers recovered two AK-47 rifles loaded with 36 rounds of ammunition, a pump-action gun, a cutlass, four motorcycles, and various criminal charms,” the statement read.

Commending the officers, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, reiterated the force’s commitment to tackling criminal elements threatening national security.