IGP Orders Deployment of FID-IRT Tactical Team to Rescue Afenifere Youth Leader, Ojajuni

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate deployment of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) – Intelligence Response Team (IRT) tactical team to prioritize the safe rescue of Prince Eniola Ojajuni, the Afenifere Youth Leader, who was kidnapped on February 17, 2025, while travelling to Abuja.

Egbetokun stated that the police are fully committed to the safe return of Prince Ojajuni and are deploying all necessary resources and expertise to achieve this objective.

A statement by the Force Spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, urged the public to exercise caution and refrain from engaging in social media speculation or sharing unverified information regarding the ongoing rescue efforts.

“Such activities can inadvertently jeopardise the operation and potentially endanger the victim’s safety. Moreover, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force across the country have stepped up efforts to combat various forms of organized crime, including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and similar offenses,” he said.

The Force Spokesperson stated that in Taraba State, Police Operatives, acting on credible intelligence, successfully raided a criminal hideout in the Wamunchi dry season rice farms on February 26, 2025, and recovered one AK-47 rifle and seven rounds of live ammunition.

He noted that the operatives also arrested at least 20 male suspects and recovered one motorcycle, three Dane guns, and a bow and arrow.

He said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation, and the suspects are currently being profiled.

The IGP assured that the police under his command will continue to actively pursue and dismantle all criminal elements operating within communities to establish peace and safety.