By Kazeen waris
The Nigeria Police Force has rescued 42 kidnapped victims and arrested 96 suspects in intelligence-led operations conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory between September 26 and October 2, 2026.
The operations also led to the recovery of 16 firearms, 31 rounds of live ammunition and 16 vehicles, while two armed suspects were killed during encounters with security operatives.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Ineidu, disclosed this in an operational report yesterday, saying the arrests were linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, banditry, cultism, terrorism, cattle rustling and other criminal activities.
Ineidu said the operations were conducted under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, as the Force sustained its intelligence-led and community-based policing strategy.
He said the results went beyond statistics, noting that the operations disrupted criminal networks and led to the rescue of victims in several states.
“Such operational successes go beyond statistics, as they translate to the rescue of victims, disruption of criminal networks and improved security in affected communities,” he said.
In one of the major operations, police operatives and tactical teams, working with personnel of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto State, foiled a bandit attack and rescued 30 kidnapped victims.
The victims were reportedly abducted after bandits blocked Katuru Village Junction and attacked vehicles conveying passengers returning from the weekly market at Tidibale Village.
Security operatives engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to flee into a nearby forest and abandon their victims.
The 30 victims were rescued unhurt, while two people who sustained gunshot wounds were taken to hospital for treatment.
In Rivers State, operatives of the Eliozu Division rescued another kidnap victim after intercepting a suspected kidnap gang during a high-speed chase towards Rumuokoro.
One suspect was arrested, while an AK-47 rifle, three rounds of live ammunition and a tricycle were recovered.
In Gombe State, a joint operation involving the police, military, Department of State Services, hunters and vigilantes led to the arrest of four suspects and rescue of two kidnapped victims in Ribado Ward, through Bajoga in Funakaye Local Government Area.
Three motorcycles were recovered during the operation, while operational pressure reportedly forced fleeing gang members to release another victim the following day.
In Kogi State, joint security forces rescued a telecoms worker who was allegedly abducted by armed kidnappers dressed in military camouflage.
The victim was among a telecoms mast maintenance team abducted in the Kabba area. Four members of the team had escaped, while the rescued worker remained in captivity.
According to the police, security forces sustained bush-combing and rescue operations, eventually forcing the abductors to flee after teargas was deployed.
In Delta State, police rescued a 23-year-old woman allegedly abducted for ransom and arrested six suspects, comprising three males and three females.
The woman was reportedly abducted on September 27, with the suspects demanding N245,000 for her release.
Following a report to the Anti-Vice Squad in Asaba, operatives tracked the suspects to their hideout and rescued the victim.
In Katsina State, police tactical teams also foiled an attempted kidnapping along the Funtua-Zaria Highway at Dankawo Village.
The attackers reportedly blocked the highway to abduct commuters before engaging security operatives in a gun battle. The suspects fled into the bush, while subsequent operations led to the rescue of four kidnapped victims found inside a truck.
The police said efforts were ongoing to establish the whereabouts of the truck driver and motor boy and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
In Anambra State, 13 suspected cultists were arrested during a joint operation involving police and Agunechemba vigilante operatives in Okpoko.
The operation also led to the recovery of suspected cannabis sativa, other illicit substances and six motorcycles.
In Ondo State, police arrested three suspected members of an alleged armed robbery syndicate in Akure following intelligence-led operations.
A raid on their hideout in the Olufoam area reportedly led to the recovery of a locally made four-round revolver, criminal charms, a laptop, motorcycle mirrors and a vehicle number plate.
Meanwhile, police in Katsina recovered 159 electric detonators suspected to be components of improvised explosive devices during a stop-and-search operation along the Daura-Kongolam-Maiadua road.
The items were reportedly found in two bags inside a Toyota bus travelling from Kano towards Kongolam in Niger Republic. A 70-year-old driver was arrested after allegedly failing to provide a satisfactory explanation for the items.
In Benue State, police arrested a suspected cultist accused of threatening people with a firearm at a market square in Aliade.
An English pistol with five rounds of live ammunition, a locally fabricated pistol with four cartridges and charms were reportedly recovered from the suspect.
Ineidu said all suspects remained in custody as investigations continued, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal groups.
He reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and collaboration with communities and other security agencies.
“The Force will continue to protect lives and property, respond to threats to public safety, and bring criminal suspects to justice,” the FPRO said.
