The Nigeria Police Force has arrested several suspects in connection with a fake kidnapping plot, kidnapping, armed robbery, firearms trafficking and alleged terrorism-related offences across different parts of the country.
The arrests and recoveries were disclosed during a press briefing at the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
In one of the cases, operatives arrested 34-year-old Nansik Wyep Sule in Jos, Plateau State, on July 23, following credible intelligence. During interrogation, Sule allegedly confessed to conspiring with Catherine Davou, the mother of a two-year-old boy, to stage the child’s kidnapping.
According to the police, the child had been hidden in Davou’s residence, while another suspect, Luka Emmanuel Butdam, allegedly contacted the child’s grandmother and demanded ₦15 million ransom.
The three suspects were subsequently arrested, while the child was rescued and taken to hospital for medical attention before being handed over to his biological father.
In another operation, operatives arrested Idris Mohammed, alias Yellow, described as a suspected notorious kidnapper, in Bauchi State on July 28. A red 2012 Toyota Corolla with registration number SMK 611 BF, allegedly abandoned during a kidnapping operation, was recovered from him and later released to the complainant.
A second suspect, Mohammed Bello Adams, was subsequently arrested in Nasarawa State over his alleged connection with Mohammed. Police investigations reportedly linked the suspects to the kidnapping of Pastor David Dahni and Abdullahi Abubakar, in which ₦7.5 million and ₦3 million ransoms were allegedly paid respectively.
The Force also reported the arrest of eight suspects allegedly involved in kidnapping and illegal firearms dealings in Imo and Rivers states.
The suspects, identified as Mohammadu Sani, Moses Daniel, Usman Mohammad, Aliyu Manu, Ibrahim Mohammed, Samaila Ibrahim, Ahmed Abubakar and Umaru Abdullahi, were received by the Intelligence Response Team from the Office of the National Security Adviser on June 4.
Mohammadu Sani, identified as the alleged gang leader, was arrested on the outskirts of Owerri, Imo State, with an AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the group had relocated from Kogi State to Port Harcourt and was allegedly involved in multiple kidnapping operations in Rivers and Imo states, as well as the illegal procurement and supply of firearms.
In a separate firearms trafficking investigation, the police arrested Yakubu Danladi Pam and Abdulsalam Mohammed Hussain over alleged unlawful dealing in firearms.
Recovered from the suspects were a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, a Type 06 rifle, two magazines and 28 rounds of live ammunition.
Police said investigations linked Pam to the illegal supply and sale of firearms, while Hussain was allegedly involved in supplying and transporting firearms across the North-Central and North-Eastern regions. Efforts are ongoing to identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
The Force further disclosed the arrest of six suspects in Katsina State over alleged criminal conspiracy, aiding terrorism and illegal possession of prohibited ammunition.
The suspects are Kabiru Mohammed, Muhammad Sani, Ibrahim Musa Lawan, Yusuf Shuaibu, Manner Abdulmumuni and Fatima Ishiaku.
Police said the operation, conducted on March 29 following intelligence obtained through intercepted communications, led to the recovery of 78 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, four rounds of red cartridges, a long knife, multiple charms and ₦220,000 cash.
Three alleged collaborators identified as Alhaji Abdulbashir, Alhaji Ado Garba and Alhaji Babban Kifi were said to be at large, while investigation continues.
The Nigeria Police Force said the arrests demonstrate its commitment to intelligence-led policing, sustained investigations and inter-agency collaboration in tackling threats to public safety.
The Force pledged to intensify operations against kidnapping networks, firearms trafficking, violent criminal enterprises and fraudulent schemes, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly provide relevant information to the police through established channels.
