Police rescue 42 kidnapped victims, arrest 96 suspects

By: Kingsley Omonobi

The Police headquarters said on Sunday that Police operatives rescued 42 kidnapped victims, arrested 96 suspects victims in intelligence-led operations conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory between September 26 and October 2, 2026.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Ineidu, who disclosed this in an operational report said 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 the operations.

Iniedu said the operations were conducted under the strategic leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, as the Force sustained its intelligence-led and community-based policing strategy.

He said the 96 suspects were arrested in connection with various offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, banditry, cultism, terrorism, cattle rustling and other criminal activities.

He said the achievements went beyond statistics, noting that the operations had resulted in the rescue of victims, disruption of criminal networks and improved security in affected communities.

According to the report, police operatives, tactical teams and personnel of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto State foiled a bandit attack and rescued 30 kidnapped victims.

The bandits had reportedly blocked Katuru Village Junction and attacked vehicles conveying passengers returning from the weekly market at Tidibale Village before abducting them.

The security operatives engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to flee into a nearby forest and abandon their victims.

The 30 victims were rescued unhurt, while two persons who sustained gunshot wounds were taken to hospital for treatment.

In Rivers State, police operatives attached to the Eliozu Division intercepted a suspected kidnap gang following a high-speed chase towards Rumuokoro.

The operatives rescued a kidnapped victim and arrested one suspect, while an AK-47 rifle, three rounds of live ammunition and a tricycle were recovered.

In Gombe State, a joint operation by the police, military, Department of State Services, hunters and vigilantes in Ribado Ward, through Bajoga in Funakaye Local Government Area, led to the arrest of four suspects and rescue of two kidnapped victims.

The operation also resulted in the recovery of three motorcycles, 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 had been abducted by armed kidnappers dressed in military camouflage.

The victim was part of a telecoms mast maintenance team abducted in the Kabba area. Four members of the team had escaped, while the rescued worker remained in captivity.

The security forces sustained bush-combing and rescue operations, forcing the abductors to flee after teargas was deployed and enabling the victim to be rescued

In Ondo State, operatives of the State Intelligence-led Violent Crime Response Unit, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate in Akure.

The suspects allegedly confessed to being
members of a four-man syndicate operating in Akure and its environs.

A subsequent raid on their hideout in the Olufoam area led to the recovery of a locally made four-round revolver, criminal charms, a laptop, motorcycle mirrors and a vehicle number plate.

A third suspect was arrested the following day, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the remaining member of the syndicate.

In Delta State, police operatives rescued a 23-year-old woman who had been abducted and held for ransom.

The victim was reportedly abducted on September 27, with the suspects demanding N245,000 for her release.

Following a report lodged with the Anti-Vice Squad in Asaba, operatives tracked the suspects to their hideout, rescued the victim, and arrested six suspects comprising three males and three females.

In Anambra State, 13 suspected cultists were arrested during a joint operation by the police and Agunechemba vigilante operatives in Okpoko.

The operation, conducted in the early hours of September 28 following credible intelligence, also led to the recovery of suspected cannabis sativa, other illicit substances and six motorcycles.

In Katsina State, police tactical teams foiled an attempted kidnapping along the Funtua-Zaria Highway at Dankawo Village.

The suspects had reportedly blocked the highway to abduct commuters when operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, APC tactical teams and personnel of the 83 Police Mobile Force engaged them in a gun duel.

The attackers fled into the bush, while subsequent combing operations led to the rescue of four kidnapped victims found inside a truck. Efforts were ongoing to establish the whereabouts of the driver and motor boy and arrest the fleeing suspects.

In another operation in Katsina State, police 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. The 70-year-old driver was arrested after he allegedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the items.

The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the source, destination and intended use of the detonators and identify possible accomplices.

In Benue State, police operatives arrested a suspected cultist who was allegedly threatening people with a firearm at a market square in Aliade.

A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of an English pistol with five rounds of live ammunition, a locally fabricated pistol with four cartridges, and charms.

Ineidu said all suspects arrested in the various operations remained in custody as investigations continued, while efforts were being made to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal groups.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to deepening intelligence-led policing, strengthening collaboration with communities and other security agencies, and sustaining operational pressure against criminal networks.

The FPRO assured Nigerians that the Force would continue to protect lives and property, respond to threats to public safety, and bring criminal suspects to justice.

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