By Vicky Attah, Correspondent
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded fresh successes in its fight against violent crime, rescuing a teenage kidnap victim and arresting suspected kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers and rape suspects in coordinated operations carried out across several states over the past 24 hours.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Office, the operations targeted crimes ranging from kidnapping and armed robbery to cult-related violence, homicide and the illegal possession of firearms across at least 10 states. The police said the operations were conducted under the strategic leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
One of the major breakthroughs was recorded in Katsina State, where operatives of the Police Force’s anti-kidnapping unit engaged suspected armed bandits in a prolonged gun battle at about 2 a.m. on July 19 as they attempted to cross the Funtua-Dandume Local Government Area boundary.
During the operation, officers rescued 16-year-old Hafiza Rabiu, who had earlier been abducted from Babbangida village in Danja Local Government Area. She was rescued unharmed and taken to hospital, while the fleeing suspects escaped with gunshot wounds. Bush-combing operations are ongoing to recover rustled livestock.
In Rivers State, police dismantled a suspected kidnapping syndicate following investigations into the abduction of 35-year-old Jane Ikechukwu, who was kidnapped at her shop by armed men travelling in a white minibus between July 11 and 19. Although the victim was released after a ransom was paid and later hospitalised, investigators arrested five suspects, including 42-year-old Owhor Chinedu, and recovered exhibits linked to the crime.
The operations also produced significant results against armed robbery. In Ondo State, operatives arrested three suspects, including Promise Daniel, who were alleged to have been terrorising commuters along the Lagos-Ondo corridor. Police recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 18 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a Beretta pistol with four rounds of 9mm ammunition, a Mercedes-Benz ML350 vehicle, a battle axe and an iron cutter.
In Delta State, investigations into cult-related violence led to the arrest of additional suspects after four suspected cultists were initially interrogated over an attack on one Obi Odiaka. Police said a patrol commander was injured and a patrol vehicle damaged during the operation. Two more suspects allegedly linked to kidnapping activities were later arrested, while investigators said they are connected to a wanted fugitive.
Similarly, in Osun State, officers arrested five suspected cultists after responding to reports of sporadic gunfire in the Jatta area. Recovered items included an unregistered Toyota Sienna bus, a single-barrel gun, 10 live cartridges, a cutlass, a knife and charms.
The police also stepped up efforts against the proliferation of illegal firearms. In Benue State, operatives recovered a locally fabricated pistol, ammunition and a machete after responding to a farm attack in which the alleged assailant was fatally wounded. Later the same day, a suspect identified as Dauda was arrested following a distress call about gunshots at a market square, with officers recovering a double-barrel gun, three live cartridges and a knife.
Related operations in Imo, Akwa Ibom and Taraba states also resulted in the recovery of firearms and the arrest of suspects. Police arrested Opara Ikechi during an intelligence-led raid in Owerri, while Divine Effiong Udo was apprehended after detectives traced gunshots to Ikot Obong Otoro village in Akwa Ibom. In Taraba, operatives working with local hunters arrested 57-year-old Ibrahim and recovered a locally made Beretta pistol with 12 rounds of ammunition.
Meanwhile, in Oyo State, police arrested two suspects, Ishola and Kehinde, over the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl after reportedly luring her with ₦1,500. Police Step Up Crime Fight, Rescue Teen, Arrest Suspects
By Vicky Attah, Correspondent
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded fresh successes in its fight against violent crime, rescuing a teenage kidnap victim and arresting suspected kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers and rape suspects in coordinated operations carried out across several states over the past 24 hours.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Office, the operations targeted crimes ranging from kidnapping and armed robbery to cult-related violence, homicide and the illegal possession of firearms across at least 10 states. The police said the operations were conducted under the strategic leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
One of the major breakthroughs was recorded in Katsina State, where operatives of the Police Force’s anti-kidnapping unit engaged suspected armed bandits in a prolonged gun battle at about 2 a.m. on July 19 as they attempted to cross the Funtua-Dandume Local Government Area boundary.
During the operation, officers rescued 16-year-old Hafiza Rabiu, who had earlier been abducted from Babbangida village in Danja Local Government Area. She was rescued unharmed and taken to hospital, while the fleeing suspects escaped with gunshot wounds. Bush-combing operations are ongoing to recover rustled livestock.
In Rivers State, police dismantled a suspected kidnapping syndicate following investigations into the abduction of 35-year-old Jane Ikechukwu, who was kidnapped at her shop by armed men travelling in a white minibus between July 11 and 19. Although the victim was released after a ransom was paid and later hospitalised, investigators arrested five suspects, including 42-year-old Owhor Chinedu, and recovered exhibits linked to the crime.
The operations also produced significant results against armed robbery. In Ondo State, operatives arrested three suspects, including Promise Daniel, who were alleged to have been terrorising commuters along the Lagos-Ondo corridor. Police recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 18 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a Beretta pistol with four rounds of 9mm ammunition, a Mercedes-Benz ML350 vehicle, a battle axe and an iron cutter.
In Delta State, investigations into cult-related violence led to the arrest of additional suspects after four suspected cultists were initially interrogated over an attack on one Obi Odiaka. Police said a patrol commander was injured and a patrol vehicle damaged during the operation. Two more suspects allegedly linked to kidnapping activities were later arrested, while investigators said they are connected to a wanted fugitive.
Similarly, in Osun State, officers arrested five suspected cultists after responding to reports of sporadic gunfire in the Jatta area. Recovered items included an unregistered Toyota Sienna bus, a single-barrel gun, 10 live cartridges, a cutlass, a knife and charms.
The police also stepped up efforts against the proliferation of illegal firearms. In Benue State, operatives recovered a locally fabricated pistol, ammunition and a machete after responding to a farm attack in which the alleged assailant was fatally wounded. Later the same day, a suspect identified as Dauda was arrested following a distress call about gunshots at a market square, with officers recovering a double-barrel gun, three live cartridges and a knife.
Related operations in Imo, Akwa Ibom and Taraba states also resulted in the recovery of firearms and the arrest of suspects. Police arrested Opara Ikechi during an intelligence-led raid in Owerri, while Divine Effiong Udo was apprehended after detectives traced gunshots to Ikot Obong Otoro village in Akwa Ibom. In Taraba, operatives working with local hunters arrested 57-year-old Ibrahim and recovered a locally made Beretta pistol with 12 rounds of ammunition.
Meanwhile, in Oyo State, police arrested two suspects, Ishola and Kehinde, over the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl after reportedly luring her with ₦1,500. Investigators recovered the victim’s torn clothing, documented the scene and took her to the Police Medical Hospital, Agodi, where a doctor reportedly confirmed penetration. The suspects are expected to be arraigned after investigations.
The police said investigations into the various cases are ongoing, with additional suspects being tracked, while those already in custody will be prosecuted in accordance with the law. recovered the victim’s torn clothing, documented the scene and took her to the Police Medical Hospital, Agodi, where a doctor reportedly confirmed penetration. The suspects are expected to be arraigned after investigations.
The police said investigations into the various cases are ongoing, with additional suspects being tracked, while those already in custody will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
