The Nigeria Police Force recorded major operational successes across 12 states on July 12, 2026, with the arrest of 44 suspects for various crimes, the rescue of six kidnapped victims, and the recovery of firearms, vehicles, rustled cattle, and other exhibits in sustained efforts to combat criminal activities nationwide.
According to internal police operational reports, the nationwide operations covered Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Gombe, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Osun and Zamfara states, and addressed offences including homicide, armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, sexual violence and cattle rustling.
The report indicated that seven homicide cases, two armed robbery incidents, two cult-related cases, one gender-based violence case and one kidnapping-related incident were recorded during the period under review.
In Anambra State, police arrested a suspected electricity installation vandal, Chiemerie Chukwuma, who was electrocuted while allegedly attempting to vandalise a community Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) transformer in Nnewi. The suspect is receiving treatment under police custody at St. Felix Hospital, while the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka has commenced further investigation.
In Bauchi State, armed robbers reportedly invaded a residence in Kesa Village, Gamawa Local Government Area, where a 35-year-old resident, Shuaibu Gambo, was fatally shot with a Dane gun after raising an alarm. The victim was confirmed dead at the General Hospital, Gamawa, and buried according to Islamic rites, while investigations continue.
In Bayelsa State, police arrested three suspected cultists, all students of the Federal University Otuoke, following a violent clash believed to be linked to a rivalry between the Black Axe and Buccaneer confraternities in Otuaba Community, Ogbia Local Government Area. The operation led to the recovery of a battle axe and a Toyota Corolla with registration number GBB-731-AE, while two suspects sustained injuries during the clash.
In Benue State, three suspects were arrested and a locally fabricated English pistol was recovered after a group of youths allegedly attacked the Benue State Civil Protection Guard office in Taraku, Gwer East Local Government Area. The case has been transferred to the SCID in Makurdi for further investigation.
Police in Delta State arrested three suspects in connection with the death of Ikechukwu Odoh, 32, who died after being struck with a stick while attempting to mediate a dispute in Ubulu-Okiti. The victim’s remains have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, for autopsy.
In Gombe State, one suspect, Adamu Tukur, was arrested for cattle rustling after a patrol team intercepted him along Dokoro Road in Dukku Local Government Area. Two rustled cows and an operational vehicle were recovered. The suspect allegedly assaulted a police corporal during the arrest, fracturing the officer’s hand, before he was rescued from an attempted mob attack.
In Kogi State, the police successfully provided security coverage for the official visit of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Lokoja on July 11, 2026, with the event concluding without any security breach.
One of the most significant breakthroughs was recorded in Nasarawa State, where police rescued six kidnapped victims abducted in Andaha Town on July 3, 2026. The victims were rescued unharmed following sustained pressure by security operatives and were later debriefed and reunited with their families.
The rescue operation formed part of a broader multi-agency clearance exercise across nine communities involving the police, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Counter Terrorism Unit, anti-kidnapping and anti-robbery squads, Police Mobile Force, Village Crime Reduction Unit, Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters. The operation led to the arrest of 29 suspects and the recovery of suspected Cannabis Sativa, while screening and area sanitisation operations continue.
In a separate operation in Lafia, Nasarawa State, police operatives foiled an armed robbery attack behind the Area Command headquarters and recovered a Lexus sports utility vehicle with registration number YAB-851-EM, a laptop and a bag stolen from a student, Sunday Kefas. One suspect was arrested in connection with the incident.
In Niger State, police are investigating two separate homicide incidents involving unidentified armed men. In Zazzaga Village, Sarkin-Pawa, the chairman of the Sakai Vigilante Group, Bello Shugaba, 52, was shot dead by assailants who invaded his residence. In another incident, gunmen attacked Tunga Na Ukku Village in Kontagora, abducted Muhammadu Dadini, 35, and later killed him. Police also arrested one suspect, Sagir Gwino, alias Dawa, in connection with a missing persons case after he was found in possession of the victims’ SIM cards, National Identification Number cards and caps.
In Ogun State, police arrested a 24-year-old woman, Sonde Mary, for allegedly helping a rape suspect evade arrest. The principal suspect, identified as the proprietor of Herone Centre in Obantoko, Abeokuta, is wanted in connection with the alleged rape of a 17-year-old student in March 2026. Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
In Osun State, gunmen suspected to be hunters invaded a mining site in Ila-Ijesa, killing a 29-year-old man, Abu Dalif, and reportedly making away with cash and mobile phones. The victim’s body has been deposited at the Wesley Guild Hospital mortuary in Ilesa for autopsy.
In Zamfara State, suspected bandits ambushed members of the Community Protection Guard along the Gusau-Tsafe Federal Highway, killing two operatives identified as Zahra Salisu and Bashar Halilu. In a separate operation in Gummi Local Government Area, police operatives engaged armed bandits in a gun duel, leading to the recovery of four cows abandoned by the fleeing criminals.
Overall, police statistics for the period show that 44 suspects were arrested, one firearm and three vehicles were recovered, while six kidnapped victims were rescued. The Force recorded seven homicide incidents, two armed robbery cases, two cult-related incidents, one case of gender-based violence and one kidnapping-related case across the 12 states under review.
The various cases have been transferred to the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments for detailed investigations, while tactical operations and surveillance measures have been intensified in affected areas to prevent further criminal activities.
