The Nigeria Police Force says its operatives, working with other security agencies, have recorded a series of arrests, hostage rescues and weapons recoveries across 11 states between September 12 and 15, 2026.
The operations targeted suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, bandits and other criminal elements and resulted in the recovery of firearms, ammunition, illicit drugs, vehicles, motorcycles and other exhibits, according to Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.
In Kebbi State, police and military personnel conducted a clearance operation in Gumki Village, Arewa Local Government Area, where the police said one suspected terrorist was neutralised. Officers reportedly recovered a PKT rifle with 174 rounds of live ammunition, an AK-47 rifle with 14 rounds, four motorcycles, mobile phones and other items.
In Katsina State, two women abducted from Sha’Iskawa Fulani Village in Kankia Local Government Area were rescued unharmed after police operatives engaged their alleged abductors in a gun battle. The police said the attackers fled into the bush after coming under pressure from the security team.
Police also reported arrests in Ogun State, where three suspected members of an armed robbery gang linked to attacks in Agbado and surrounding areas were apprehended. Three expanded cartridges were reportedly recovered and the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Abeokuta.
In Akwa Ibom, six suspected members of an armed robbery gang were arrested following investigations into alleged criminal activities in Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara local government areas. Police said two single-barrel guns, a motorcycle and three laptops were recovered.
A suspected bandit informant was also arrested in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Police said the suspect was allegedly found with N900,000 believed to have been collected as part of a levy imposed on a community. Investigators said information obtained from the suspect could assist efforts to identify other members of the alleged network.
In Delta State, seven suspects were arrested during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Ukwuani Local Government Area. Police said officers recovered a locally fabricated single-barrel firearm, a live cartridge, illicit drugs, a battle axe, mobile phones and a laptop.
Ekiti State police reported the arrest of a suspected kidnapper and fraudster during a night operation along the Ekiti State University/Osekita Road. A Toyota Venza valued by police at N10.5 million, 255 SIM cards, four phones, an international passport and tramadol were reportedly recovered.
In Rivers State, a suspect who had been on the run was arrested at a hideout in Bonny following a manhunt operation. Police also recovered an English-made Beretta pistol that they said had earlier been abandoned by the suspect.
A kidnapped victim was rescued around Arabu Forest in Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The police said the victim was medically evaluated before being reunited with family members.
In Kogi State, joint security operatives arrested a suspected kidnapper following an armed attack on a vehicle along the Okene-Ogori-Magongo-Lagos Highway. Police said exhibits were recovered during a follow-up operation in the surrounding forest area.
Jigawa State police also arrested a suspect over the alleged rape of an eight-year-old girl in Ringim Local Government Area. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse for further investigation.
Separately, police reported that 10 suspects were arrested during raids on criminal hideouts in Aniocha North and Oshimili North local government areas of Delta State between September 12 and 13. Two locally made firearms, illicit drugs, cannabis-related items and other exhibits were reportedly recovered.
The operations illustrate the wide range of criminal threats being addressed by security agencies, from kidnapping and armed robbery to terrorism, firearms trafficking, illicit drugs and sexual offences. They also show the reliance of police operations on intelligence gathering, joint security operations and follow-up investigations.
However, the reported arrests and recoveries should not be confused with convictions. The individuals arrested remain suspects, and allegations against them must be tested through due process. Likewise, claims about the identities or activities of criminal networks should be treated as allegations from investigators unless established by a court.
The police said investigations into the various cases are continuing, while efforts are underway to arrest other suspects allegedly connected to the crimes. The effectiveness of the operations will ultimately be measured not only by arrests and weapons recovered, but also by successful prosecutions, disruption of criminal networks and sustained improvements in the security of affected communities.
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