Police Rescue 5 Kidnapped Victims, Arrest 44 Suspects, Recover Arms, Ammunition

The Nigeria Police Force has reported major operational successes across several states, including the rescue of five kidnapped victims, arrest of at least 44 suspects and recovery of firearms, ammunition, illicit drugs and other exhibits in the last 24 hours.

The latest operational report underscores the police’s intensified intelligence-led approach to tackling kidnapping, banditry, cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes across the country.

The operations, carried out in Delta, Benue, Abia, Sokoto, Anambra, Kano and Oyo states, targeted suspected kidnappers, bandits, cultists, armed robbers and other criminal elements.

In Delta State, police operatives raided a suspected kidnappers’ and armed robbers’ hideout near Uduere Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area following intelligence.

The suspects engaged the operatives in a gun duel before fleeing with suspected bullet injuries. Police recovered an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 55 rounds of live ammunition, a pump-action gun, seven live cartridges, a jackknife, cutlass, mobile phone, suspected hard drugs and other items.

Just few days ago, operatives of the Delta State Police Command rescued a 25-year-old woman allegedly assaulted and held hostage in Usiefrun community.

The operatives arrested five suspects in separate operations linked to kidnapping, cultism and murder.

The operatives of the Otu-Jeremi Police Division, acting on credible intelligence from the Ovwian-Aladja Division, mobilised to Usiefrun community at about 8:30am on October 3, 2026, where they rescued the woman.

In Benue, tactical operatives and other security personnel rescued four kidnap victims after pursuing armed bandits into a forest and engaging them in a gun battle. The victims were rescued unhurt, while the commercial vehicle used by the kidnappers was also recovered.

Similarly, three suspected kidnappers were arrested in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State, while an 18-year-old victim, Ifeoma Obinna, was rescued. Two daggers and the victim’s mobile phone were recovered.

In Sokoto State, police arrested two suspected bandit informants and terrorism financiers who were allegedly supplying fuel to armed bandits. Two motorcycles and 10 full jerrycans of petroleum products were recovered, while the suspects are assisting investigators with information on other members of the gang.

Nine suspected cultists were also arrested at Okpoko, Anambra State, with police recovering a locally-made firearm, live cartridge, charms, machete, beret and sword.

In Kano, police arrested 13 suspects allegedly terrorising residents around Hotoro Mahautar Gabas. Recovered from their hideouts were four cutlasses, five axes, a sword, four knives, hammer, hacksaws, sticks, sharp iron rods, charms and other exhibits.

Police in the state also prevented a possible clash between supporters of two political candidates during a campaign programme. One suspect was arrested after three gunshots were reportedly fired from a vehicle.

In Oyo State, three suspects, including a Customs officer, were arrested after police intercepted a Lexus GX 470 Jeep allegedly bearing a fake registration number.

Police said 13 pieces of Canadian Loud, two bottles of Codeine, six wraps of Local Loud, Indian hemp and other exhibits were recovered.

Another operation in Oyo led to the arrest of a 25-year-old suspected armed robber, Abiodun Musibau Olalekan, who was found with a stolen phone following an armed robbery alert. A Bajaj motorcycle was also recovered, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplice.

In another breakthrough in Delta State, police uncovered an alleged staged kidnapping involving 16-year-old Ifunanya Chiwetalu, who was reportedly abducted to extort money from her family.

The girl was rescued at Ejeme-Unor Community and one suspect arrested. Police recovered four live cartridges, two battle axes, a walkie-talkie, knife, two mobile phones and a joker face mask.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said all the cases were under investigation at the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments.