Police arrest 1,334 suspects, rescue 383 kidnap victims

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 1,334 suspects and rescued 383 kidnapped victims nationwide during intelligence-led operations conducted in July and August.

The ​‌‌‍​‌‍⁠⁠‌‍​⁠‍​⁠⁠‌‌​Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Inedu, a chief superintendent of police, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Joint Security News Briefing by security and law enforcement agencies.

Mr Inedu said the operations also led to the recovery of 175 firearms, more than 3,790 rounds of live ammunition, 93 vehicles and several rustled cattle.

He said 127 notorious criminals were neutralised during decisive engagements with police operatives and other security forces across the country.

According to him, the achievements reflected the force’s deployment of intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, enhanced inter-agency collaboration and tactical operations.

He said police tactical teams also successfully prevented a large-scale attack after engaging a heavily armed group of about 240 bandits, with 17 of the assailants neutralised.

Mr Inedu said joint security operations also rescued 32 kidnapped victims at Maikujera in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

He added that another operation at Amla-Cho Forest forced armed bandits to abandon 13 kidnapped victims, who were subsequently rescued unhurt.

The police spokesperson said collaborative operations involving the police, vigilantes and other security actors also resulted in the rescue of 76 victims in separate incidents.

He said police operatives recorded significant successes against kidnapping networks in Kogi, Kaduna, Imo, Nasarawa and other states during the period.

According to him, six victims were rescued after gunmen attacked two vehicles along the Kabba-Ayere Road, while nine others were rescued in a separate incident along the Mameramo-Adomu Road.

Mr Inedu said police operatives also disrupted the activities of an IPOB/ESN network in Imo, neutralising a suspected kingpin and recovering two AK-47 rifles, four empty magazines and a vehicle.

He said police operations further yielded significant results in arms interdiction, including the recovery of 551 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 10 loaded magazines from a female suspect intercepted along the Doma-Yelwa Road.

The FPRO said a follow-up operation led to the arrest of another suspect linked to the ammunition supply network, while additional investigations exposed a wider criminal network.

He said police also recovered 870 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition from suspected gun-runners in another operation.

Mr Inedu said operatives arrested three suspects linked to the 29 June attack on police officers at Aluu Division, recovering two AK-47 rifles stolen during the incident.

He added that another operation led to the arrest of 18 suspects and recovery of 47 firearms, 12 stolen vehicles and 420 rounds of ammunition.

READ ALSO: Police fire tear gas at pensioners protesting arrears at Lagos House

According to him, police operations also targeted cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes, with 37 suspected cult members arrested during a disrupted initiation ceremony.

He said anti-kidnapping operatives arrested a native doctor linked to an earlier abduction and murder case, recovering two double-barrel guns and one single-barrel gun.

Mr Inedu said the force would sustain intelligence-led operations, inter-agency cooperation and community engagement to further degrade criminal networks.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its commitment to securing the nation,” he said.

He commended police officers for their sacrifices and professionalism, assuring Nigerians of the force’s continued commitment to public safety and the protection of lives and property.