POLICE OPERATIONS ACROSS 10 STATES LEAD TO KIDNAP VICTIMS’ RESCUE, 13 ARRESTS

The Nigeria Police Force has reported a series of successful operations across 10 states, resulting in the rescue of two kidnapped victims, the arrest of 13 suspects linked to various criminal offences and the recovery of firearms and ammunition.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the development in an executive summary detailing police operations conducted between September 1 and 2, 2026. The reported operations covered cases involving kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, sexual offences and other forms of criminal activity.

In Ogun State, tactical police teams acting on intelligence about the presence of suspected kidnappers around Araromi Ake Irolu Village, along the Ijesha-Ijebu axis, searched surrounding bushes and successfully rescued two victims identified as Taiwo Ajako and Ogunji Wasiu. The victims had reportedly been abducted while travelling along their farm path. One of them sustained a gunshot injury during the incident and was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment. Police also recovered an AK-47 rifle, two jackets and a sachet of tramadol from the operation. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Abeokuta for further investigation.

In Kano State, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad arrested two men, Mu’azu Halliru and Sunusi Isiyaku, over the reported abduction of the APC Chairman of Rogo Local Government Area. According to the police, the arrests followed intelligence-driven operations, while efforts are continuing to locate the abducted council chairman and secure his safe release. The Force also said it was intensifying efforts to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected kidnapping network who remain at large.

An additional arrest was recorded in Ekiti State, where 26-year-old Azeez Kudus Okoro was apprehended in Ibadan, Oyo State, after police traced him to an account allegedly used to receive proceeds from an armed robbery in Ado-Ekiti. The police said technical tracking and a banker’s order helped investigators identify the account owner and beneficiary before operatives located and arrested him. The State Criminal Investigation Department in Ado-Ekiti is handling the investigation.

In Ebonyi State, police responded to a distress call concerning about 15 armed men who had allegedly invaded a shop at the Ishieke Campus of Ebonyi State University. The deployment reportedly forced the attackers to flee into a nearby bush, leaving behind a locally made pistol, one round of 9mm ammunition and a machete. Police arrested a 22-year-old suspect, Solomon Nnamdi, while efforts continue to track down the other fleeing suspects.

The police also reported an arrest in Benue State after officers on routine patrol intercepted an unnumbered Hijet pickup van in Makurdi. A search of the vehicle allegedly led to the discovery of a locally fabricated English pistol, resulting in the arrest of the driver, Abdullahi Idris. The vehicle was impounded as investigations continue.

Separate homicide investigations also produced arrests in Cross River, Sokoto and Enugu states. In Cross River, 16-year-old Ability Jeremiah Etefia was arrested over the alleged fatal stabbing of a 20-year-old man following a minor altercation in Awi, Akamkpa Local Government Area. Police said the suspect reportedly confessed to the offence, while the victim's remains were recovered and deposited at a mortuary for autopsy.

In Sokoto State, 43-year-old Hadi Sani was arrested following the alleged fatal stabbing of his brother during an altercation at Barkeji Village in Tambuwal Local Government Area. In Enugu State, police arrested Eze Friday, the owner of a farmland in Ohodo Community, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, after the body of a 29-year-old man was discovered partially buried on the property. The case is being prepared for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

The Force also disclosed arrests in separate sexual-offence investigations in Ekiti and Ogun states. In Igede-Ekiti, 45-year-old Adebayo Olalekan was arrested over the alleged defilement of an eight-year-old girl, who was subsequently taken to the General Hospital in Igede-Ekiti for medical examination and treatment. In Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, 20-year-old Ayomide Kamula was arrested over the alleged rape of a 19-year-old woman. Police said a medical form was issued to the victim for hospital examination, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend another suspect said to have fled the scene.

Meanwhile, police operations in Bayelsa State led to the rescue of two foreign nationals who had reportedly drifted away from São Tomé and Príncipe while fishing. Acting on information from the Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, the Area Commander in Ekeremor joined the council chairman in travelling by boat to Agge Community, where the two men were located and safely rescued. They were subsequently taken to Yenagoa for medical assessment and further care.

The Nigeria Police Force further disclosed that tactical teams from Rivers and Bayelsa commands conducted a coordinated border-clearance operation along the interstate axis. The operation, carried out on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, covered bush paths and strategic access routes around Igbogene, Okarki and Mbiama. Police said the areas were searched to prevent criminal elements from using the locations as hideouts and that the operation ended without a security breach.

In Anambra State, police took custody of 16-year-old Udochukwu Nwankwo, who had reportedly been apprehended by hotel security personnel following an alleged armed robbery at a hotel in Amansea. According to the police, the teenager admitted using a pistol-shaped metallic lighter to rob unsuspecting members of the public, with the replica recovered from him. Investigators are continuing efforts to identify and arrest his alleged accomplices.

The Police Force said investigations into all the reported cases remain ongoing through the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments, while operations are continuing to track fleeing suspects and dismantle criminal networks. The arrests and recoveries form part of broader intelligence-led operations aimed at preventing further criminal activity across the affected states.