Police Arrest 1,198 Suspects, Rescue 166 Kidnap Victims In 1 Month

The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of 1,198 criminal suspects nationwide in just over one month, alongside the rescue of 166 kidnapped victims.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu stated this on Tuesday at the monthly conference with strategic senior officers, noting that the Force would intensify intelligence-driven operations against violent crimes across the country.

According to Disu, the arrests were recorded between June 9 and July 21, 2026 and disclosed that the suspects include 151 arrested for murder and culpable homicide, 117 for armed robbery, 151 for kidnapping, 104 suspected cultists, and 169 persons arrested for unlawful possession of firearms, among others.

The police also recovered 166 assorted firearms, 1,475 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 47 stolen vehicles during the operations.

Highlighting recent operational successes, Disu praised security agencies for the successful rescue of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State, describing the operation as a model of effective collaboration among the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and members of the public.

He said the rescue demonstrated the value of intelligence gathering, careful planning and inter-agency cooperation.
However, the police boss warned against complacency, stressing that operational success should inspire greater commitment rather than relaxation.

“We cannot let a success like Oyo breed complacency. Every achievement should push us to improve further, not to relax,” he said.

The IGP directed commissioners of police to develop command-specific security strategies based on the realities in their respective states while ensuring that all deployments are guided by credible intelligence rather than routine.

Meanwhile, the IGP has also decorated 30 newly promoted senior officers and charged them to justify their elevation through exemplary leadership, integrity and professionalism amid Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

The promotion ceremony saw the decoration of 13 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and 17 Commissioners of Police (CPs).

Addressing the officers, the IGP described the promotion as both a reward for years of dedicated service and a vote of confidence in their ability to provide effective leadership at a time when the nation faces terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, cybercrime and other violent crimes.

“You are stepping into higher command while our officers face real strain—a demanding security environment, long separations from family, and the daily weight of public expectation,” Disu said.