The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its nationwide offensive against violent crime, recording 138 arrests, the rescue of 23 kidnapped victims and the recovery of firearms, ammunition and stolen vehicles in a week-long crackdown under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu.
According to an official statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the operational gains were achieved through intelligence-led policing, enhanced inter-agency collaboration and precision tactical deployments carried out between 20 and 26 July 2026.
The statement said police operatives arrested suspects linked to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and murder. During the operations, officers recovered 31 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns, 99 rounds of assorted live ammunition and 20 vehicles, while six notorious criminals were neutralised during armed confrontations.
One of the most significant breakthroughs was the dismantling of a notorious inter-state kidnapping syndicate operating in Imo and Lagos states.
Police operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit in Imo State stormed a kidnappers’ hideout in Ogbaku, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, rescuing one abducted victim, Donatus Emehara, unhurt. Two suspected kidnappers were neutralised during the operation, while another suspect was arrested.
Follow-up intelligence-led operations in Lagos State led to the neutralisation of three additional syndicate members and the arrest of the alleged kingpin, Chinonso Izuagu, bringing a major criminal network to collapse.
In Ondo State, operatives arrested three suspected members of an inter-state armed robbery gang travelling in a Mercedes-Benz ML 350 vehicle. Recovered from the suspects were an AK-47 rifle, a Beretta pistol, ammunition, a battle axe and an iron cutter. Investigations revealed the gang allegedly carried out armed robbery operations across Lagos and Ondo states.
The Force also recorded progress in its response to the abduction of the Executive Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar.
According to the statement, armed bandits attacked the chairman’s residence on 25 July, fatally wounding Inspector Bashir Lawal, Police Constable Hamza Mohammed and one Alhaji Nura before abducting the council chairman, his wife, four children and four neighbours.
Swift tactical operations led to the rescue of the chairman’s wife and four children, while efforts remain ongoing to secure the release of the chairman and the remaining abducted victims.
In Delta State, police operatives disrupted a cult initiation ceremony after coming under attack from suspected cultists at Orogun. Following an exchange of gunfire, the suspects fled, abandoning a cache of weapons, ammunition, cult regalia, mobile phones and seven vehicles.
Another successful rescue operation was recorded in Kogi State, where police operatives rescued six abducted travellers after armed men attacked two vehicles along the Kabba-Ayere Road. The operation also led to the recovery of both vehicles, while efforts continue to locate three passengers still missing.
The police also highlighted other notable achievements recorded during the week.
In Nasarawa State, four kidnapping victims were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families, while in Sokoto State, operatives repelled a bandit attack on Ayawa village in Tangaza Local Government Area and recovered 11 rustled cattle abandoned by fleeing attackers.
In the Federal Capital Territory, police operatives foiled a kidnap attempt at Brain and Hammers Estate, Dei-Dei, forcing the armed suspects to flee into a nearby forest with gunshot wounds.
Similarly, in Ogun State, police successfully rescued an abducted engineer, Sola Aboyeji, following sustained bush-combing operations after his abduction from Lagan Village.
The statement further noted that the Inspector-General of Police paid a one-day operational visit to Benue State to assess and strengthen the operational readiness of the state police command as part of ongoing efforts to improve security across the country.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety of lives and property nationwide, urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations.
