By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Police Force has reported a series of operational successes across several states, including the foiling of bandit attacks, rescue of kidnapped victims, arrests of criminal suspects and recovery of firearms, ammunition and other exhibits.
According to a state-by-state operational summary issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, on Saturday, the operations were recorded between September 29 and October 2, 2026, across 10 states.
In Sokoto State, police tactical teams, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Vigilance and Community Response Unit repelled an attack by armed bandits at Tsabre Village on October 2, forcing the attackers to flee into the forest. A follow-up operation led to the recovery of two rocket launchers, two empty AK-47 magazines, a mobile phone, torchlight, army jungle hat, sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket.
No casualty was recorded among the security personnel or villagers.
In Taraba State, police rescue teams sustained operational pressure on kidnappers and successfully rescued three of five kidnapped victims unharmed. The victims were subsequently reunited with their families.
The Force also recorded arrests in Oyo State, where three suspected armed robbers were arrested following a raid on a criminal hideout in Sabo, Ibadan. An iPhone 7 Plus belonging to a deceased robbery victim was recovered, while the suspects were identified during an identification parade and subsequently confessed to the crime.
In Akwa Ibom State, three suspects were arrested during a raid on a criminal hideout at Itiam Etoi Village, Uyo, with large quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa and other illicit drugs recovered. Another suspect was arrested during stop-and-search operations with a long single-barrel gun, machete and a bag of gunpowder.
Ogun State also recorded multiple successes, with three suspected cult members arrested at Agbado and exhibits including substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, an axe, laptops, soap and drug pipes recovered.
In a separate operation in the state, nine kidnapped travellers were rescued unhurt following sustained pressure by the Police and other security agencies. The victims were debriefed before being reunited with their families.
In Cross River State, police detectives arrested a suspect following a reported threat to life and recovered a locally fabricated single-barrel long gun and two live cartridges. In another operation, police intervened in an unlawful detention incident and rescued two victims, who were taken to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.
Benue State recorded an encounter with armed bandits along the Amaafu-Abaji Road, where personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force responded to an ambush. One bandit was neutralised while others fled into surrounding bushes, with one locally fabricated firearm recovered. No police personnel was injured.
In Ebonyi State, police arrested a suspected criminal at a hideout in Ezenmahi Village, Onicha Local Government Area, recovering a locally made single-barrel short gun.
Enugu State police detectives arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a 16-year-old boy. The victim’s corpse, an alleged weapon used in the crime and the deceased’s motorcycle were recovered.
In Ekiti State, detectives arrested a suspect in connection with the death of a staff member of a microfinance bank. The corpse was evacuated to a hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The Force also reported an operation in Ogun State on September 29, during which suspects linked to an assault on police officers during a surveillance operation were arrested. Two vehicles involved in the incident were recovered and impounded.
Meanwhile, in Katsina State, police tactical teams repelled an attack by armed bandits along the Funtua–Zaria Road, restoring normal traffic flow along the route.
In Sokoto State, police tactical teams, working alongside Army personnel, also intervened in a communal clash between two communities in Goronyo Local Government Area and restored normalcy.
The Force said the various cases remained under investigation by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments.
