The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced a series of operational successes recorded across the country within 48 hours, leading to the rescue of victims, arrest of criminal suspects, and recovery of firearms, ammunition and stolen property.
In Ogun State, police operatives acting on intelligence from INTERPOL Abuja rescued 11 Ghanaian nationals held hostage in a hideout in Sagamu. Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were allegedly lured into Nigeria by a fellow Ghanaian who promised assistance in obtaining Canadian and Spanish visas before extorting 40,000 Ghana Cedis from each victim. The case is under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran.
In Imo State, police arrested a 26-year-old suspected kidnapping kingpin, Mamuda Dahiru, following intelligence-led operations linked to the earlier abduction of 20 prospective NYSC members along the Owerri-Onitsha Road. During follow-up operations, officers recovered an AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 19 rounds of ammunition, a pump-action gun and three live cartridges from a forest hideout. The matter is being investigated by SCID Owerri.
Security operatives in Benue State rescued eight kidnapped victims, including Reverend Father John Otache, during a joint operation involving Police Mobile Force units, Operation Zenda and Civil Protection Guards. Two suspects were arrested, while the victims were taken to the Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for medical attention.
In Kogi State, police and military personnel responding to an attack on a passenger vehicle along the Kabba-Ayere Road engaged the attackers and rescued nine occupants. One additional victim was later rescued during coordinated search operations, bringing the total number of rescued persons to ten. The vehicle involved in the incident was also recovered.
In another operation in Imo State, police operatives working with the Imo Vigilante Group arrested ten suspected IPOB/ESN members accused of enforcing an illegal sit-at-home order and threatening residents in Orlu. Officers recovered machetes, knives, an axe, face caps and other exhibits.
Police in the Federal Capital Territory arrested two armed robbery suspects, identified as Daniel Julius and Harry Okonkwo, after responding to a distress call from an electronics shop along Gado Nasko Road. A locally-made rifle was recovered, while efforts continue to apprehend two fleeing accomplices.
In Ebonyi State, detectives raided a suspected criminal hideout in Isimkpuma Okpoto Forest, Ishielu Local Government Area, arresting one suspect, Iseh Ndubuisi. A locally-made double-barrel pistol and a live cartridge were recovered during the operation. Investigators linked the group to a series of robberies along the Abakaliki-Okpoto-Enugu Expressway.
In Oyo State, local hunters and villagers repelled an attempted attack by a six-man gang of suspected kidnappers and bandits at Ajebamidele Village near Tede. Police, Amotekun Corps personnel and vigilantes later recovered ammunition casings, a live round and a mobile phone believed to belong to the fleeing suspects.
Technical tracking operations in Sokoto State led to the recovery of a stolen Mercedes-Benz GLK after suspects allegedly demanded a ₦1 million ransom. The vehicle was abandoned when the perpetrators realised police operatives were closing in on them.
In Lagos State, police responding to a residential robbery at Satellite Town arrested 38-year-old Chinedu Eze, one of three suspected armed robbers. Officers recovered a Beretta pistol loaded with five rounds of 9mm ammunition and a mobile phone. Efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining suspects.
All cases remain under investigation by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments and police commands.
