Police recover 105 ammunition, foil kidnap attempts in 23 hours — IGP Disu

The Nigeria Police Force has recovered 105 rounds of ammunition, firearms and other weapons, while foiling several kidnapping, armed robbery and cult-related operations across the country within the last 23 hours.

The operations also led to the rescue of several kidnapped victims and the arrest of suspected kidnappers, bandits’ informants, cultists and other criminal elements.

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, who disclosed the achievements, said the Force would continue to deploy intelligence-led operations to frustrate the activities of criminal gangs and bring perpetrators to justice.

Disu, who spoke through the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, in a statement, said the latest operations were part of the Force’s sustained efforts to prevent crime and protect lives and property across the country.

In Sokoto State, two suspected bandits’ informants and terrorism financiers were arrested by police operatives acting on credible intelligence.

The suspects were allegedly found in possession of two motorcycles and 10 full jerrycans of petroleum products suspected to have been destined for armed bandits.

According to the police, the suspects are currently providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the criminal network.

The State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, is investigating.

In Delta State, police operatives raided a suspected kidnappers’ and armed robbers’ hideout near Uduere Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area. The suspects engaged the operatives in a gun duel but were forced to flee with suspected bullet injuries.

The police recovered one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 55 rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action gun, seven live cartridges, one jackknife, one cutlass, an Android phone, suspected hard drugs and other items.

In another operation in the state, police rescued a 16-year-old girl, Ifunanya Chiwetalu, whose alleged abduction was reportedly staged to extort money from her family.

The victim was rescued at Ejeme-Unor Community, while one suspect was arrested.

Recovered from the scene were four live cartridges, two battle axes, a walkie-talkie, one knife, two mobile phones, a joker face mask and other exhibits. The SCID, Asaba, is investigating.

In Benue State, police tactical operatives, working with other security personnel, rescued four kidnapped victims and recovered a stolen commercial vehicle. The operatives reportedly pursued armed bandits into the forest and engaged them in a gun duel, forcing the criminals to abandon the victims and flee.

The four victims were rescued unhurt, while the stolen vehicle was recovered. The SCID, Makurdi, has commenced investigation.

In Abia State, three suspected kidnappers were arrested and a kidnap victim rescued during an operation in Osisioma Local Government Area.

The police said tactical operatives tracked the suspects to their hideout and arrested them.

The victim, 18-year-old Ifeoma Obinna, was rescued unhurt, while two daggers and her mobile phone were recovered.

The SCID, Umuahia, is investigating.

In Kano State, police operatives averted what could have been a clash between supporters of two political candidates during a campaign programme.

The police said three gunshots were fired from a vehicle during the programme, leading to the arrest of one suspect.

Normalcy was subsequently restored, while the SCID, Bompai, is investigating.

Also in Kano, police operatives arrested 13 suspected hoodlums who had allegedly been terrorising residents of Hotoro Mahautar Gabas.

The suspects were pursued to their hideouts, where police recovered four cutlasses, five axes, one sword, three knives, one hammer, two hacksaws, five sticks, three sharp iron rods, assorted charms and other exhibits.

In Anambra State, nine suspected cultists were arrested at Okpoko, with the police recovering one locally made gun, one live cartridge, charms, one machete, one beret and one sword.

The SCID, Awka, is investigating.

In Oyo State, police operatives combed a nearby bush following an armed robbery alert and arrested 25-year-old Abiodun Musibau Olalekan, who was allegedly found in possession of a stolen mobile phone.

One Bajaj motorcycle was also recovered as an exhibit, while efforts are ongoing to arrest his fleeing accomplice.

The latest operations came amid sustained efforts by the IGP to reposition the Force through intelligence-led policing, tactical restructuring, internal accountability, community engagement and improved welfare for personnel.

A security analyst, Mark Chidozie, described Disu as a “master strategist”, saying the IGP had demonstrated commitment to crime fighting and the welfare of police personnel since assuming office.

According to him, Disu inherited a Force confronted by longstanding challenges of crime prevention, public confidence, internal discipline and operational effectiveness, but had moved to address some of the challenges through reforms and operational initiatives.

One of the early initiatives of the IGP was the inauguration of a committee on the implementation of state police on March 4, 2026.

The committee was tasked with examining policing models, community security needs, recruitment, training, standards and accountability required for the establishment of state police.

Disu maintained that state police should complement, rather than replace, the Nigeria Police Force within a coordinated national security architecture.

The IGP has also strengthened the Complaints Response Unit and the Independent X-Squad to improve the investigation of allegations of misconduct.

He also moved against the “Keep In View”, or KIV, culture, which allows criminal cases to remain inactive for prolonged periods, directing that such cases be reviewed and activated where necessary.

The administration also took disciplinary action in cases of alleged police misconduct.

Following the death of a suspect in police custody in Delta State, Disu described the incident as unlawful and a violation of human life. The officers involved were dismissed from the Force, while the matter was forwarded for criminal prosecution.

The IGP subsequently directed a nationwide audit of police arms and reinforced accountability measures for Commissioners of Police.

Operationally, the Force has continued to record arrests, rescues and recovery of weapons and stolen property.

In April 2026 alone, intelligence-led operations nationwide reportedly resulted in the arrest of 280 suspects, including 28 suspected terrorists, 85 suspected kidnappers, 62 suspected armed robbers, 51 murder suspects and 54 suspected cultists.

During the same period, police rescued 189 kidnapped victims and recovered 140 firearms, 1,074 rounds of ammunition and 37 stolen vehicles.

In another nationwide anti-crime operation, the Force reported the arrest of 1,198 suspects, including 151 suspects linked to murder and culpable homicide, 117 suspected armed robbers, 151 suspected kidnappers, 104 suspected cultists and 169 suspects for unlawful possession of firearms.

The operation also led to the rescue of 166 kidnap victims and recovery of 166 firearms, 1,475 rounds of ammunition and 47 stolen vehicles.

By September, the Force said cumulative figures since Disu assumed office stood at 1,643 suspects arrested and 1,066 kidnapped victims rescued.

The breakdown included 251 suspected terrorists and bandits, 343 murder suspects, 566 suspected armed robbery suspects and 483 suspected cultists.

The IGP has also established the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, as a specialised tactical formation to respond to violent crime based on verified intelligence.

The Force has further approved new counter-terrorism bases in Madagali, Adamawa State; Ikot Odo, Cross River State; and Ode-Remo, Ogun State, to close identified security gaps.

Beyond tactical operations, Disu has placed emphasis on community policing and closer engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, market associations and other stakeholders.

The IGP has also promoted improved welfare and career development for police personnel.

More than 33,000 police personnel were promoted during the period, including 17,952 junior officers.

Disu, while decorating newly promoted senior officers, described the promotions as a strategic investment in leadership and charged the beneficiaries to maintain discipline and reject corruption.

The IGP has equally embarked on efforts to improve police housing and welfare.

Recently, he toured police barracks and housing facilities, particularly in Lagos State, where he expressed concern over the dilapidated condition of some of the inherited facilities and promised to rebuild and improve them.

Construction and rehabilitation works are already ongoing in some of the barracks as part of efforts to improve the living conditions of police personnel.

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