Operatives of the Nigeria Police have killed nine suspected terrorists and recovered 23 arms and ammunition in some parts of the country.

The police said in a statement Sunday that armed men invaded Gobiraje Village in Suru Local Government Area of Kebbi State and abducted one Umaru Bawa, aged 60 years, on February 14, 2025.

The statement, signed by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained that police operatives attached to the Kebbi State Command trailed the suspects to Tundafari Forest in the Dakingari axis of the state and confronted them in a gun battle.

“Consequently, four of the kidnappers were neutralized and one arrested with fatal injuries while the kidnapped victim was rescued unhurt,” the statement said.

It added that the police recovered N3 million already paid to the kidnappers as ransom.

The statement added: “Earlier, on February 8, 2025, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Imo State Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, carried out a tactical operation targeting an IPOB/ESN terrorist camp located in Ezioha Mbaitolu within the Umuele Umuaka Njaba LGA of the State.

“The operation led to the neutralization of two ESN Kingpins, the recovery of 7 AK-47 rifles, 13 pump-action guns, hundreds of assorted live ammunition, and the successful dislodgement of the camp.

“On February 9 2025, the operatives moved to the Nkwukwo Forest in Mbaitoli LGA, at the boundary with Ubachima Forest in Awomama Oru West LGA, Imo State, where the team intercepted a group of terrorists who opened fire upon sighting the police.

“During the ensuing exchange, three terrorist kingpins were further neutralized, 2 AK47 rifles each loaded with 36 rounds of live ammunition, 1 pump-action gun, 1 cutlass, 4 motorcycles, and various criminal charms were as well recovered.”