By Joy Onu
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a series of operational successes across the country within 24 hours, foiling kidnapping attempts, rescuing victims, arresting criminal suspects and recovering stolen property, vehicles, firearms, illicit drugs and other exhibits during coordinated nationwide operations.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Department of the Nigeria Police Force, the operations were carried out by police commands across the country in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups where necessary. The coordinated operations led to the rescue of kidnapped victims, the arrest of suspects linked to homicide, illegal arms possession, theft and the financing of criminal activities, as well as the recovery of vehicles, livestock, firearms, illicit drugs and other exhibits.
One of the most remarkable operations was recorded in Imo State, where police operatives foiled a kidnapping attempt after engaging the abductors in a gun duel. Seven kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed, while two vehicles belonging to the victims were recovered. The suspects escaped into nearby bushes following the exchange of gunfire, and security operatives have continued efforts to track and apprehend them.
A similar success was recorded in Ondo State, where a joint security operation prevented another kidnapping. Acting on intelligence, security personnel rescued the intended victim without injury. Although the attackers fled the scene, investigators recovered spent AK-47 shells believed to have been fired during the incident.
In Bayelsa State, detectives arrested a suspect in connection with the theft of government property valued at approximately ₦500 million. Police said investigations are continuing to recover the stolen equipment and arrest other members of the suspected syndicate.
According to the police, operations against banditry also yielded results in the North-West.
In Katsina State, police foiled a cattle rustling operation, forcing the bandits to abandon their mission and flee. Officers recovered a motorcycle left behind by the fleeing suspects.
In a separate operation, police arrested a suspected supplier of illicit drugs to bandit groups and recovered 500 tablets of prohibited substances believed to have been intended for criminal elements.
Another anti-rustling operation in Kano State, carried out jointly with the Joint Task Force, led to the recovery of rustled cattle after suspects fled under pressure from security operatives.
In neighbouring Sokoto State, intelligence-led policing resulted in the arrest of a suspected bandits’ informant and financier. During the operation, police recovered three SIM cards and two mobile phones believed to have been used in facilitating criminal activities.
In Gombe State, detectives arrested a homicide suspect and recovered a Beretta pistol believed to have been abandoned by suspected criminals.
Police also made progress in tackling property-related crimes in Ekiti State, where three suspects were arrested over the theft of fertiliser. Eight bags of the stolen fertiliser were recovered, while investigations are ongoing to recover the remaining items and identify other suspects connected to the crime.
Routine stop-and-search operations in Akwa Ibom State also produced significant results after officers arrested a suspect found in possession of a concealed double-barrel firearm.
While several operations resulted in arrests and recoveries, police authorities said rescue missions remain active in states where criminal incidents are still under investigation.
In Bauchi State, investigators launched an intensive search following the abduction of a young woman. Police disclosed that digital tracking had already led investigators towards neighbouring Yobe State as efforts continue to rescue the victim safely.
Security personnel in Niger State also responded swiftly to separate incidents involving kidnapping and bandit attacks. Rescue operations and the pursuit of kidnappers and cattle rustlers remain ongoing.
Similar rescue and manhunt operations are continuing in Kwara, Kebbi and Nasarawa states following separate kidnapping incidents. Police teams, working with local vigilante groups where necessary, have intensified search operations aimed at rescuing the victims and apprehending those responsible.
Meanwhile, in Ogun State, investigators have commenced technical intelligence operations following multiple residential armed robbery attacks. Police said efforts are ongoing to identify, track and arrest the suspects involved.
The nationwide operations reflect the Nigeria Police Force’s continued reliance on intelligence-led policing, rapid response and collaboration with other security agencies to combat kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
Although some suspects escaped during encounters with security operatives, the Force said follow-up operations have been intensified to ensure those responsible are apprehended, while ongoing investigations in several states are expected to lead to additional arrests and further recoveries.
The Nigeria Police Force said sustained pressure on criminal networks remains central to its commitment to protecting lives and property, dismantling organised crime and improving security across communities nationwide.
