Police Arrest 44 Suspects, Rescue 6 Kidnap Victims In Renewed Offensive

The Nigeria Police (NPF) On Saturday arrested 44 suspects for various offences and rescued six kidnapped victims.

The police also recovered firearms, vehicles, livestock and other exhibits in the coordinated operations nationwide.

A police situation report covering security activities of Saturday, July 11, 2026, obtained by LEADERSHIP yesterday, showed that the operations spanned Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Gombe, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Osun and Zamfara states.

The report indicated that the police arrested 44 suspects, recovered one locally fabricated pistol and three vehicles, while six kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed.

No suspect was neutralised during the operation

Details of the arrest showed seven homicide cases, two armed robbery incidents, two cult-related cases, one gender-based violence case and one kidnapping-related incident.

One of the most significant breakthroughs occurred in Nasarawa State, where police rescued six kidnapped victims who had been abducted on July 3 at Andaha Town.

The victims were rescued unhurt following sustained pressure mounted by a joint security search team involving the police, military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Civilian Joint Task Force, local hunters and other tactical units.

The joint operation also extended to nine communities, leading to the arrest of 29 suspects and the recovery of substances suspected to be cannabis.

In a separate incident in Lafia, the police foiled an armed robbery, arrested one suspect and recovered a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle, a laptop and other valuables stolen from a student.

In Bayelsa State, the police arrested three suspected cultists, all students of the Federal University, Otuoke, following a violent clash believed to be linked to a supremacy battle between rival cult groups. The officers recovered a battle axe and a Toyota Corolla vehicle, while two of the suspects sustained injuries during the confrontation.

The Benue State Police Command also recorded success with the arrest of three suspects after an attack on the Benue State Civil Protection Guard Office in Taraku, Gwer East local government area. A locally fabricated English pistol was recovered during the operation.

In Delta State, detectives arrested three suspects over the killing of a 32-year-old man who reportedly died after attempting to mediate a dispute that escalated into violence in Ubulu-Okiti. The deceased later succumbed to injuries at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba.

The police in Gombe State arrested a suspected cattle rustler, recovered two stolen cows and an operational vehicle after a routine patrol. The suspect allegedly attacked a police corporal with a stick, fracturing the officer’s right hand before he was rescued from an angry mob. An accomplice escaped.

In Anambra State, police arrested a suspected electricity infrastructure vandal who was electrocuted while attempting to vandalise a community electricity transformer. The suspect is receiving treatment under police guard.

Meanwhile, homicide investigations were launched in Bauchi, Niger, Osun and Zamfara states following separate deadly attacks.

In Bauchi State, armed robbers invaded a residence in Kesa Village, Gamawa Local Government Area, killing a neighbour who attempted to raise an alarm.

Niger State recorded two separate killings involving unidentified gunmen. One victim was the chairman of a local vigilante group in Sarkin-Pawa, while another abducted resident was later found dead in a nearby bush. Police also arrested a suspect linked to a missing persons case after recovering victims’ identity documents and SIM cards from him.

In Osun State, suspected armed hunters attacked a mining site at Ila-Ijesa, killing one man and making away with cash and mobile phones.

In Zamfara State, two members of the Community Protection Guard were killed during an ambush by armed bandits along the Gusau-Tsafe highway. In a separate operation, police recovered four cows abandoned by fleeing bandits after a gun battle.

Police also intensified efforts to apprehend the proprietor of a tutorial centre in Ogun State who is wanted over the alleged rape of a 17-year-old student. A female suspect was arrested for allegedly helping the principal suspect evade arrest.

In Kogi State, the police successfully provided security for the official visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Lokoja, with authorities reporting that the visit ended without any security breach.

According to the report, all major cases have been transferred to the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments for further investigation, while tactical operations continue in affected areas to track fleeing suspects and strengthen public safety.