Police Foil Bandit Attacks, Arrest Suspected Criminals In 11 States

Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has carried out a series of operations in 11 states in the last 24 hours and foiled bandit attacks.

The police also arrested suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists and child traffickers, as well recovered firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles and livestock.

The Force public relations officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the operations were carried out by police operatives in collaboration with other security agencies, vigilantes and local hunters in the affected states.

In Sokoto State, joint security operatives repelled a bandit attack after engaging the criminals in a fierce gun battle.

The operatives recovered five magazines loaded with 40 rounds of live ammunition, while confidence-building patrols and bush-combing operations are ongoing to prevent further attacks.

Similarly, in Katsina State, security forces foiled a large-scale bandit attack. The police said the bandits fled with heavy casualties, while security was reinforced in the affected communities to forestall a recurrence.

In Plateau State, joint Police and Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel repelled an attack by armed assailants and restored normalcy to the affected area.

Iniedu said reinforcements had been deployed as efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects continue.

The police also recorded multiple breakthroughs in Enugu State. At the same time, five suspected cultists were arrested during a coordinated operation, leading to the recovery of a pump-action gun and three live cartridges.

In a separate operation, detectives recovered a locally fabricated pistol following a suspect’s confession, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members.

In Bauchi State, police operatives, working alongside vigilantes and local hunters, foiled a kidnapping attempt. One suspected kidnapper was neutralised during the operation, while three empty AK-47 shells were recovered from the scene.

Ogun State also witnessed two major operational successes, with the Police arresting two suspects linked to cattle rustling and recovering six stolen cows and an abandoned vehicle.  In another operation, one suspected armed robber was apprehended and a stolen motorcycle recovered. Investigations are continuing as officers intensify efforts to arrest fleeing accomplices.

In Ebonyi State, police arrested a murder suspect while tactical teams also restored order following a violent mob attack. Security patrols have been intensified across the area as efforts continue to identify and arrest those responsible for the disturbance.

Operatives in Kano State arrested a suspect over alleged child trafficking and rescued three female children believed to be victims of the crime.

In Lagos State, police patrol teams arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a locally fabricated pistol, while investigations continue to track down the suspect’s fleeing accomplices.

Police in Ondo State arrested two suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, recovering a stolen Lexus RX350 vehicle, a firearm, a stolen mobile phone and other exhibits connected to the case.

In Akwa Ibom State, four suspected criminals were arrested following credible intelligence. Officers also recovered a locally made pistol, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend another suspect who escaped during the operation.

The Force PRO said that all cases have been transferred to the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments (SCIDs) for comprehensive investigation and prosecution.