Police arrest suspects, rescue victims, recover firearms in 11 states

The Nigeria Police Force has reported a series of operational successes across 11 states, including the neutralisation of a suspected terrorist, the rescue of kidnapped victims, and the arrest of suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, and a suspected bandit informant.

The operations, carried out between September 12 and 15, 2026, also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, illicit drugs, vehicles, motorcycles, ransom money, and other exhibits.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said police operatives, working with other security agencies, continued to intensify operations against criminal elements across the country.

He said, “Police operatives, in collaboration with military personnel, successfully conducted a clearance operation in Gumki Village, Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State, during which one terrorist was neutralised.”

In the operation, the police said one PKT rifle with 174 rounds of live ammunition, an AK-47 rifle with 14 rounds of ammunition, four motorcycles, mobile phones and other exhibits were recovered.

In Katsina State, two women abducted in Sha’Iskawa Fulani Village, Kankia LGA, were rescued unharmed after police operatives engaged the armed bandits in a gun duel.

According to the police, “The operatives successfully overpowered the assailants, forcing them to abandon the two victims and flee into the bush with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.”

The victims were subsequently rescued without injuries.

In Ogun State, three suspected members of an armed robbery gang linked to attacks in Agbado and adjoining areas were arrested.

The police said, “Three expanded cartridges were recovered from the suspects,” adding that the State Criminal Investigation Department, Abeokuta, was investigating the case.

In Akwa Ibom State, six suspected members of an armed robbery gang were arrested following investigations into their activities across Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara LGAs.

The police said, “Two single-barrel guns, one motorcycle, three laptops and other exhibits were successfully recovered.”

In Sokoto State, technical operatives arrested a suspected bandit informant in Wamakko LGA and recovered ₦900,000 allegedly collected as part of a levy imposed on a community.

The police said, “The suspect is providing useful information to aid the arrest of other gang members.”

In Delta State, seven suspects were arrested during a raid on a criminal hideout in Ukwuani LGA.

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The police said the operation led to the recovery of “one locally fabricated single-barrel firearm, one live cartridge, illicit drugs, a battle axe, mobile phones and a laptop.”

In Ekiti State, police operatives intercepted and arrested a suspected kidnapper and fraudster during a night operation along the Ekiti State University/Osekita Road.

According to the police, “A Toyota Venza valued at ₦10.5m, 255 SIM cards, four phones, an international passport, tramadol and other exhibits were successfully recovered.”

In Rivers State, a fleeing suspect was arrested at his hideout in Bonny following a manhunt operation.

The police said, “One English-made Beretta pistol earlier abandoned by the suspect was successfully recovered.”

The Force also reported the rescue of a kidnapped victim around Arabu Forest in Makarfi LGA of Kaduna State.

According to the police, “The rescued victim was medically evaluated and successfully reunited with his family.”

In Kogi State, joint security operatives arrested a suspected kidnapper following an armed attack on a vehicle along the Okene/Ogori-Magongo-Lagos Highway.

The police said, “The arrest was made during a follow-up operation in the surrounding forest axis, while exhibits were recovered from the suspect.”

In Jigawa State, police operatives arrested a suspect in connection with the alleged rape of an eight-year-old girl in Ringim LGA.

The Force said the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse for investigation.

Meanwhile, 10 suspects were arrested during separate raids on criminal hideouts in Aniocha North and Oshimili North LGAs of Delta State between September 12 and 13.

The police said, “Two locally made firearms, illicit drugs, cannabis-related items and other illegal exhibits were successfully recovered.”

The Force said the various cases were being investigated by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects linked to the crimes.