The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday confirmed the arrest of several suspects, including one Alhaji Iya Bima (52) from Kem Shithem Local Government Area in Adamawa State, in an intelligence-led operation across Delta, Edo, Katsina, on June 26, 2025.
During the operation, FID-IRT operatives arrested Bima who was found in possession of “one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and fifty rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition.”
Further interrogation led to the recovery of “another AK-47 rifle, three additional magazines, and 50 more rounds of ammunition”.
According to the IGP, two kidnapped victims were also rescused and recovery of firearms, stolen vehicles, and cult-related items in the operation across Delta, Edo, Katsina.
During the operations, police operatives arrested at least ten suspects and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles, locally fabricated guns, English-made firearms, magazines, and over 200 rounds of live ammunition.
Also recovered were stolen vehicles, mobile phones, laptops, and fetish items. Two kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt during a gunfight in Edo State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated in a press release on Monday that the operations were intelligence-led and executed in partnership with local vigilante groups in certain areas.
In Edo State, police operatives rescued two farm workers—Godday Irieude and Wisdom Emeka—who were abducted at about 1:00 a.m. on June 26, 2025, from the Ewatto area.
Acting on actionable intelligence, officers, in collaboration with vigilantes, raided the kidnappers’ hideout.
In a gun battle, Adejobi said the abductors fled with gunshot injuries, while the victims were rescued without harm.
In Delta State, officers executed multiple raids based on credible intelligence.
He said, “At Mosogar area, two suspected cultists, Koko Josh (29) and Asomugha Clinton (27), were apprehended following a house search.
“Recovered items included one fabricated Beretta pistol loaded with two rounds, two locally made firearms, eight cartridges, mobile phones, a laptop, and fetish materials.
“Investigators later arrested two additional members of the same cult group, identified as Anthony Kelvin (26) and Gift Amotsuka (25), all confirmed to belong to the Aiye Confraternity”.
Egbetokun confirmed that all suspects will face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
He also reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led interventions to dismantle criminal networks threatening national security.