Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued seven kidnapped victims, neutralised two armed suspects, and arrested 15 others across eight states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT during targeted operations between September 15 and 16, 2026.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the operational successes in an executive summary released on Thursday from Force Headquarters, Abuja.
According to the police spokesman, major breakthroughs were recorded in anti-kidnapping operations across Katsina, Anambra, and Delta States.
In Katsina State, police operatives repelled a bandit attack on September 16 at Makwanta Village, Dutsin-Ma LGA, rescuing three kidnapped victims unhurt.
Fleeing bandits left behind an AK-47 rifle loaded with five rounds of ammunition, three MP3 players, a mobile phone, a knife, and suspected Indian hemp.
A joint operation between police and local vigilantes in Anambra State foiled a kidnapping attempt at Abagana, Njikoka LGA, on September 16, forcing suspects to abandon a Toyota Highlander SUV and two unhurt victims following a pursuit.
Earlier on September 15, Anambra operatives also traced a stolen TVS tricycle to Old Nkpor, arresting five members of an armed robbery syndicate.
In Delta State, intelligence-led operations in Asaba on September 15 resulted in the arrest of four suspected kidnappers and the rescue of two victims, including one individual who remained in captivity despite his family paying a ransom.
ATM cards, mobile phones, wristwatches, and jewellery were recovered from the scene.
Tactical teams also engaged armed criminals in the FCT and Jigawa State, resulting in the neutralisation of two suspects.
Patrol teams in the FCT engaged armed robbers during a residential attack at Sauka Village, Kuje LGA, on September 15, neutralising one suspect while others escaped.
In Jigawa State, operatives repelled an ambush in Gwaram LGA on September 16, neutralising one gunman and recovering an attacker’s mobile phone.
Additional state commands registered major crime busts and exhibit recoveries:
- Kaduna State: Joint patrol teams cleared criminal hideouts within the Arabu Forest Reserve in Makarfi LGA on September 15, recovering two locally made guns, three sacks of suspected Indian hemp, and a military camouflage T-shirt.
- Rivers State: Patrol teams along the Kaani-Bori axis in Khana LGA intercepted suspicious motorcyclists on September 15, who abandoned an AK-47 rifle and two rounds of live ammunition.
- Oyo State: Police tracked and recovered a stolen Hyundai Sonata in Akinyele, Ibadan, on September 16, arresting three suspects found with the vehicle.
- Nasarawa State: Operatives arrested three suspects on September 15 following a manhunt linked to a violent attack and culpable homicide at Bukan Ari, Doma LGA.
CSP Iniedu confirmed that the State Criminal Investigation Departments, SCIDs, across the respective commands have opened full investigations into all cases.
