Crime
Ojajuni: IGP orders deployment of FID-IRT team to rescue Afenifere youth leader
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate deployment of the FID-Intelligence Response Team (IRT) tactical team to ensure the safe rescue of Prince Eniola Ojajuni, the Afenifere youth leader, who was kidnapped on February 17, 2025, while en route to Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the NPF is fully committed to the safe return of Prince Ojajuni and is deploying all necessary resources and expertise to achieve this objective.
He, however, urged members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from engaging in social media speculation or sharing unverified information regarding the ongoing rescue efforts.
IGP said such activities can inadvertently jeopardize the operation and potentially endanger the safety of the victim adding that the Nigeria Police Force will continue to actively pursue and dismantle all criminal elements operating within our communities in the ultimate goal to establish peace and safety.
Adejobi also noted that in line with the ongoing efforts of the Nigeria Police Force to combat crime, particularly organized crime, the Force has made significant breakthroughs, including the recovery of illegal firearms, the arrest of suspects, and the rescue of kidnapping victims.
“Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force across the country have geared up efforts in combatting various sorts of organized crime including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and the like.
In Taraba State, Police Operatives acting on credible intelligence, successfully stormed a criminal hideout in the Wamunchi dry season rice farms on February 26, 2025.
The operation resulted in the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, seven rounds of live ammunition, the arrest of twenty (20) male suspects, and the recovery of one motorcycle, three Dane guns, and a bow and arrow.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and the suspects are currently being profiled.
“Meanwhile, in Oyo State, following a report of a kidnapping incident at Agede Village, Moniya, Ibadan on February 25, 2025, a coordinated response by the tactical teams of the Oyo State Police Command, and local security outfits, resulted in the safe rescue of three abductees: Olori Hakimat Sadia, ‘F’ 50 yrs, Olori Rakyat ‘F’ 45 yrs, and Monsuru Ganiyu ‘M’ 20 yrs, who were all abducted from the palace of Baale Tajudeen Inaolaji on February 24, 2025, by ten armed men, and the arrest of one of the abductors.
The IGP, he said commended the bravery and swift action of the gallant officers who have demonstrated their commitment as police officers to ensuring the safety and security of citizens.
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that 10 of the 15 National Youth Service Corps members abducted by suspected bandits along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area have been rescued.
Commissioner of Police Naziru Bello Kankarofi said security operatives are combing surrounding forests and intensifying efforts to free the remaining victims.
He dismissed reports that the 10 rescued corps members were among the 11 persons freed during a joint security operation last week, clarifying that those earlier rescued were other travellers caught up in the same kidnapping incident.
The commissioner added that several suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack.
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Suspected terrorists killed four people, abducted four others and injured several more in an attack on Gorau town in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Wednesday night.
The attackers invaded the community around 9pm and shot 11 residents, according to the village head, Alhaji Aliyu Magaji Na-Batsami. Seven of those shot survived and were rushed to hospital for treatment, while four died instantly.
The assault came barely six days after a boat accident claimed 65 lives in the same community. Na-Batsami said the terrorists specifically targeted families of the boat mishap victims over the N1 million relief money donated by the Sokoto State Government to each bereaved family. He said the bandits went from house to house searching for the cash.
Bashir Usman Gorau, the member representing Gada/Goronyo Federal Constituency, confirmed the incident and offered condolences to the affected families.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, were unsuccessful as calls were not returned at the time of filing this report.
At least 24 bandits were killed on Tuesday after Nigerian Army soldiers, Department of State Services (DSS) operatives and members of the Katsina Community Watch Corps foiled a planned mass abduction in Gidan Bawa village, Kandarawa Ward, Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to a security source, the operation was launched following sustained intelligence that about 40 gunmen loyal to notorious bandit kingpin Isiya Kwashen Garwa planned to invade the community and abduct residents, particularly women and children. The plot was reportedly intended to mirror the recent mass abduction of residents in Woro community, Kwara State, in a bid to embarrass the government.
Acting on the tip-off, DSS operatives mobilised the Community Watch Corps and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) from Guga camp. The joint team ambushed the bandits as they moved to carry out the attack.
The source said the operatives neutralised 24 of the gunmen and rescued villagers who had already been abducted. Nineteen stolen cattle were also recovered during the raid.
Efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining bandits who fled the scene.
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