The Nigeria Police Force has achieved another significant milestone in its ongoing campaign against violent crimes and transnational criminal networks, with operatives in Enugu and Taraba States executing separate high-profile operations that led to the rescue of two victims, the arrest of three suspects, and the recovery of firearms.
According to Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, these coordinated efforts underscore the Force’s renewed determination to safeguard lives, dismantle criminal syndicates, and uphold the rule of law nationwide.
He said on July 30, 2025, at about 2:00 p.m., operatives of the Enugu State Police Command, while conducting a routine patrol along the busy Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, intercepted a lone male suspect identified as 30-year-old Raymond Sunday Wonna. The suspect was found in the company of two young female victims, later identified as 18-year-old Miracle Ogar and 16-year-old Angela Kingsley.
Adejobi, said preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were lured from Ogoja, Cross River State, under false pretences of lucrative job opportunities in Ghana. Without the knowledge or consent of their parents, they embarked on the ill-fated journey, believing they would be gainfully employed in a restaurant allegedly owned by the suspect’s partner, referred to as his “baby mama.”
However, intelligence gathered by investigators indicates that the suspect intended to exploit the victims, with further findings suggesting an attempted sexual assault while they were lodged in a hotel awaiting departure. The quick intervention of police operatives not only thwarted the illegal transportation of the victims but also ensured their immediate safety and return to their families. Investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected trafficking ring.
In a separate but equally decisive operation, operatives of the Taraba State Police Command, acting on credible intelligence, collaborated with local security outfits to raid the notorious Mahadi Forest in Gassol Local Government Area. The operation, conducted on August 13, 2025, at about 10:00 a.m., resulted in the arrest of 20-year-old Yahaya Umar and 47-year-old Mohammed Umar, both suspected to be active members of a kidnapping syndicate.
During the operation, officers recovered an AK-47 rifle believed to have been used in a series of violent attacks and abductions across Plateau and Taraba States. The suspects have reportedly confessed to their roles within the gang, admitting to multiple kidnappings for ransom. Investigators are intensifying efforts to locate other members of the group and dismantle its operational structure.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has lauded the professionalism, vigilance, and swift action of the officers involved in both operations. He described the breakthroughs as clear evidence of the Force’s commitment to proactive policing, community partnership, and intelligence-led crime prevention.
The IGP further directed that meticulous and expedited investigations be carried out to ensure all perpetrators are brought before the courts without delay. He also urged the public to remain vigilant and continue providing actionable intelligence to law enforcement agencies, emphasising that community cooperation is vital in defeating organised crime.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on human trafficking, kidnapping, and all forms of criminal exploitation, stressing that its operations will remain relentless until such threats are neutralised.
