The Nigeria Police Force has rescued an 80-year-old woman from kidnappers and killed six suspects during two separate operations in Abuja and Jigawa State.
In a statement posted on Monday, May 26, on the official X handle of the Police, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the operations were carried out by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command and the Jigawa State Police Command.
In the FCT, police officers stormed a location in Maitama where a gang of armed robbers and carjackers were planning an attack. The suspects opened fire, and a shootout followed. One of the gang’s most wanted members, Abdulmininu Bello, also known as Babanle, was shot dead.
Seven other suspects were arrested at the scene. They include Ibrahim Muhammad (22), an ex-convict; Abubakar Abdullahi (22); Sarajo Yusuf (20); Sanusi Ali (51); Abubakar Sani; Isiaka Adamu, another ex-convict; and Abdullahi Isah.
Items recovered from the scene include four AK-47 rifles, two locally made pistols with ten rounds of 9mm bullets, eleven rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one shotgun, a Toyota Camry car, and a red boxer motorcycle.
In another raid in Jigawa State, police rescued an elderly woman, Hajiya Hajara, who had been kidnapped from Sarbi village in Kano State. About twelve armed men had taken her and were moving her through Jigawa when the police, with help from local security, tracked them to a hideout between Danzomo and Medi villages.
A gunfight broke out, and five kidnappers were killed. Police arrested five others, including the group’s suspected leader, Yahaya, aged 35.
According to the police, the victim was rescued unharmed and taken to the hospital for a medical check-up. She was later discharged.
The police also recovered two AK-47 rifles, one locally made LAR rifle, fourteen live bullets, two motorcycles, and two mobile phones during the operation.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, praised the officers for their bravery and encouraged Nigerians to report any suspicious activity around them.
