Police operations across Nigeria and Kenya yield over 160 arrests in multi-state crackdown
Law enforcement agencies in Nigeria and Kenya arrested more than 160 suspects in coordinated operations targeting kidnapping, illegal firearms, and violent crimes over the weekend.
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Police forces across Nigeria and Kenya conducted sweeping operations over the weekend, resulting in over 160 arrests and the recovery of ransom money and illegal weapons, according to multiple law enforcement statements released Monday.
In Edo State, Nigeria, police arrested 65 suspected kidnappers and recovered 1.85 million naira believed to be ransom proceeds during a raid on the Zango area in Aviele, Etsako West Local Government Area, according to command spokesperson Eno Ikoedem. Separately, two additional suspects, Ibrahim Kodo, 25, and Orsee Iorzaa, 32, were arrested in Illushi community after being identified by their victims.
A coordinated inter-agency operation in Ondo State involving police, army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps resulted in 99 arrests for various criminal activities across the state on Sunday, according to DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command's spokesperson.
In Delta State, police arrested Friday Ojei, 59, a suspected illegal firearms fabricator in Emuhu Community, Ika South Local Government Area. The arrest was made by the command's Raiders Squad led by SP Akanya Agbogha, according to spokesperson Bright Edafe.
Violence continued in Kaduna State where bandits abducted village chief John Onombem of Abashiya and five others in Kachia Local Government Area. A community leader confirmed the incident Saturday night, saying attackers wielded sophisticated weapons. In a separate attack Sunday, bandits opened fire on a vehicle carrying traders along the Katari-Gurara Dam road, injuring driver Sani Dalladala around 2:30 pm, according to resident Musa Ladan.
In Kenya, Timothy Omondi Ngowa, a suspect in a Dutch tycoon murder case, was re-arrested following an alleged 400,000 shilling robbery, Nairobi News reported. Meanwhile, police commanders connected to the Baby Pendo murder case moved to High Court seeking to suspend their trial pending determination of their application.
In Ogun State, Mariam Yusuf, 37, appeared in Ota Magistrates' Court Monday charged with assault for allegedly biting off a man's finger. She pleaded not guilty, according to prosecution counsel ASP E.O. Adaraloye.