POLICE ARREST 138 SUSPECTS, RESCUE 23 KIDNAP VICTIMS

The Nigeria Police Force says it arrested 138 suspects for various offences, rescued 23 kidnapped victims and neutralised six notorious criminals in operations conducted across the country between July 20 and 26.

The Force also said it recovered 31 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns, 99 rounds of assorted live ammunition and 20 vehicles during the period.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying the successes were recorded through intelligence-led policing, inter-agency collaboration and tactical operations under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

“The Nigeria Police Force, under the strategic leadership of the 23rd Indigenous Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, wishes to inform the general public of its sustained operational successes recorded across the country during the week under review,” the statement read.

According to the police, “through intelligence-led policing, enhanced inter-agency collaboration and precision tactical deployments, the Force recorded significant breakthroughs in the fight against violent crimes.”

It added, “A total of 138 suspects were arrested for various offences including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and murder.

“The Force successfully rescued 23 kidnapped victims, recovered 31 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns, 99 rounds of assorted live ammunition and 20 vehicles.

“Additionally, six notorious criminals were neutralised during decisive engagements.”

The police said one of the breakthroughs was the dismantling of an interstate kidnapping syndicate operating in Imo and Lagos states.

It said operatives of the Imo State Police Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit raided a kidnappers’ hideout at Ogbaku in Mbaitoli Local Government Area on July 22, rescuing one Donatus Emehara, also known as “Ehara”, unhurt.

The operation, according to the statement, led to the neutralisation of Chinedu Asonna and Chisom Iroche, while one Anyanwuocha Stanley was arrested.

It added that follow-up operations in Lagos resulted in the neutralisation of additional syndicate members identified as Ifeanyi, Kelechi Asonna and Chijioke, while the alleged kingpin, Chinonso Izuagu, 41, was arrested.

“The coordinated multi-state operation dealt a severe blow to a notorious kidnapping network,” the police said.

In Ondo State, the Force said operatives arrested three suspected members of an interstate armed robbery gang and recovered an AK-47 rifle, a Beretta pistol, ammunition and other weapons.

“The suspects confessed to using the arms to commit crimes across Lagos and Ondo states, disrupting a dangerous interstate criminal enterprise,” the statement added.

The police also confirmed that tactical teams rescued the wife and four children of the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Nura Umar, after bandits attacked his residence on July 25.

The attack, the Force said, left Inspector Bashir Lawal, Police Constable Hamza Mohammed and one Alhaji Nura fatally wounded, while the council chairman, four neighbours and his wife and children were abducted.

“Tactical teams swiftly mobilised and successfully rescued the chairman’s wife and four children. Operations remain ongoing to secure the release of the chairman and four remaining neighbours,” the statement said.

The police further said operatives disrupted a cult initiation ceremony in Orogun, Delta State, after coming under gunfire from suspected cultists.

“Operatives returned fire, causing the suspects to flee. The team recovered one pump-action gun, one cut-to-size double-barrel gun, seven live cartridges, 12 expended cartridges, six phones, cult-branded jumpsuits and seven abandoned vehicles,” it stated.

The Force also said its operatives rescued six abducted travellers after gunmen attacked two vehicles along the Kabba-Ayere Road in Kogi State on July 22.

“This swift response prevented further casualties and demonstrated effective police response,” the statement added, noting that three passengers were still unaccounted for.

Highlighting other operations, the police said all four victims kidnapped near Ever Green in Ombi 1, Nasarawa State, were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families after medical evaluation and debriefing.

It also said suspected bandits who attacked Ayawa village in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State were repelled during a gun battle, while 11 rustled cows were recovered and returned to their owners.

In the Federal Capital Territory, the Force said operatives foiled a kidnap attempt at Brain and Hammers Estate, Dei-Dei, forcing the attackers to retreat into a nearby forest with gunshot wounds.

The police added that one Sola Aboyeji, who was abducted in Ogun State on July 21, regained his freedom the following day after sustained bush-combing operations.

Reaffirming its commitment to public safety, the Force said, “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its commitment to degrading criminal networks and ensuring the safety of all Nigerians.”

It urged members of the public to continue providing timely information to security agencies “as we collectively work toward a safer Nigeria.”