The Nigeria Police Force has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing fight against violent crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and banditry.

Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Monday, said operatives of the Delta State Command, during a sting operation on April 10, 2025, arrested Abubakar Usman, also known as Shehu, the leader of a notorious kidnapping gang.

He confessed to several crimes, including the kidnapping of a medical doctor in Issele-Uku, the abduction and murder of Mr. Godwin Anuka’s wife and daughter in Ogwashi-Uku, and the killing of Ms. Esther Ojoh in Ibusa.

The suspect led officers to the gang’s hideout in a forest along the Asaba/Agbor expressway, where they encountered heavy resistance. Four gang members were neutralized in a gun battle, and three AK-47 rifles with 90 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.

In a separate operation in Kano State on the same day, police arrested three suspects, Abdul Sadiq, Ahmad Muazu, and Aliyu Sharif,at Dorayi Babba. The raid led to the recovery of 15 locally-made revolver rifles, 102 live cartridges, and 6 expended shells. Efforts are ongoing to uncover the arms factory and arrest other culprits.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, commended the operatives’ bravery and reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to curbing violent crimes and ensuring national security.