In a significant breakthrough, the Nigeria Police Force has apprehended the masterminds behind the violent assault on the Abuja/Kaduna passenger train, along with a cohort of 63 suspects implicated in various violent crimes along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in Kaduna State.
Under the dynamic leadership of Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Ph.D., NPM, the Nigeria Police Force has intensified efforts to combat crime and bolster security across the country. The recent sustained deployments along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway and Kaduna State have yielded commendable results in the fight against violent crimes, particularly between January 2024 and the present.
A key strategic initiative in enhancing security along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway has been the deployment of a helicopter to provide aerial support for trains traversing the route. This proactive measure, directed by the Inspector General of Police, serves as both a deterrent to criminal elements and a rapid response mechanism in emergencies, bolstering security along the corridor and throughout the state.
The diligent efforts of the Nigeria Police Force have yielded significant outcomes, including the arrest of 81 armed robbery suspects, 40 kidnapping suspects, 73 murder/homicide suspects, 36 rape suspects, 22 suspects involved in cult-related crimes, and 28 suspects engaged in other criminal activities.
Moreover, law enforcement operations have led to the recovery of 16 firearms of various types, along with 686 ammunitions of diverse calibers. Additionally, authorities have successfully retrieved 28 stolen vehicles, over 200 harmful weapons, and 600 bags of fertilizers. Notably, a total sum of three million, three hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N3,350,000) previously paid as ransom to kidnappers has been recovered, while 158 kidnapped victims have been safely rescued and reunited with their families unharmed.
Of particular significance is the arrest of Ibrahim Abdullahi, alias MANDE, at the Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover by Rido Junction. Abdullahi, confessed to leading a kidnap syndicate terrorizing the Kaduna-Abuja highway, ranking among notorious criminals such as Dogo Gide and Bello Turji. He admitted involvement in various kidnapping incidents, including the abduction at Green Field University, and confessed to participating in the train attack on the Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna state on March 28, 2022.
The Inspector General of Police has reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. He emphasized the Force’s determination to replicate these successful interventions and operations nationwide, ensuring seamless movement across the country without hindrance from criminal elements.
The Nigeria Police Force calls on members of the public to continue providing valuable information and support to aid law enforcement efforts in combating crime and preserving peace and security in the nation.
