Police nab suspects, rescue victims, seize weapons in 11 states

The Nigeria Police Force has announced that they had significant successes in 11 states. These include taking down a suspected terrorist, rescuing kidnap victims, and arresting suspected kidnappers and armed robbers.

These operations took place from September 12 to 15, 2026. Police also recovered firearms, ammunition, illegal drugs, vehicles, motorcycles, ransom money, and other items.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said police teams, along with other security agencies, are stepping up efforts against criminals nationwide.

He noted, "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."

During this operation, police recovered one PKT rifle with 174 rounds of live ammunition, an AK-47 rifle with 14 rounds, four motorcycles, mobile phones, and other items.

In Katsina State, police rescued two women who were kidnapped in Sha’Iskawa Fulani Village, Kankia LGA. The rescue happened after police engaged armed bandits in a gunfight.

The police stated, "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 rescued unharmed. In Ogun State, police arrested three suspected members of an armed robbery gang involved in attacks in Agbado and nearby areas.

The police reported, "Three expanded cartridges were recovered from the suspects," adding that the State Criminal Investigation Department in Abeokuta is looking into the case.

In Akwa Ibom State, six suspected armed robbers were arrested after police investigated their activities in Ikono, Ini, and Obot Akara LGAs.

The police confirmed, "Two single-barrel guns, one motorcycle, three laptops, and other items were successfully recovered."

In Sokoto State, technical operatives arrested a suspected informant for bandits in Wamakko LGA. They recovered ₦900,000 that he allegedly collected as a tax from a community.

The police stated, "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. 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 stopped 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 items were successfully recovered."

In Rivers State, a suspect was caught at his hiding place in Bonny after a manhunt. The police reported, "One English-made Beretta pistol earlier abandoned by the suspect was successfully recovered."

The Force also announced the rescue of a kidnapped victim around Arabu Forest in Makarfi LGA of Kaduna State. The police said, "The rescued victim was medically evaluated and successfully reunited with his family."

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

The police stated, "The arrest was made during a follow-up operation in the surrounding forest axis, while items were recovered from the suspect."

In Jigawa State, police arrested a suspect linked to the alleged rape of an eight-year-old girl in Ringim LGA. The Force noted that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse for further investigation.

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

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

The Force mentioned that the different cases are being investigated by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments. They are also working to catch other suspects related to these crimes.