Police Rescue 60-Year-Old Kidnap Victim, Arrest 33 Suspects Nationwide

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has rescued a 60-year-old kidnap victim, arrested at least 33 suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition, stolen property and vandalised oil infrastructure in a series of operations in several states.

The operations, conducted between September 2 and September 5, 2026, also saw police tactical teams forced bandits to retreat into the forest in Zamfara State, while suspected pipeline vandals were arrested in Taraba State.

LEADERSHIP in a detailed compilation of police activities across the states, uncovered that in Delta State, police operatives, working with forest guards and local personnel, rescued Nduka Omoyi, 60, unharmed from his abductors at Alisime Village following actionable geo-spatial intelligence.

The operation reportedly triggered a gun battle, forcing the kidnappers to flee into the bush with gunshot wounds. A mobile phone and an ATM card were recovered.

In Zamfara, police tactical teams and local vigilantes engaged bandits who had blocked the Kwanar Shado–Malele Road, forcing the criminals to retreat into the forest with gunshot wounds. Bush-combing and manhunt operations have continued.

Police also arrested two suspected bandits, Abubakar Umar, 25, and Umar Ayuba, 25, in Kwara State. The suspects were allegedly linked to kidnapping and banditry, with ₦770,000 cash, two smartphones, a locally made bulletproof vest and a power bank recovered from them.

The suspects were later handed over to military authorities for further questioning over their alleged involvement in a recent attack in Niger State.

In Taraba, police disrupted an attempt to process and transport vandalised NNPCL pipes, arresting two suspects, identified as a receiver and a vandal. Eight long, vandalised pipes, two gas cylinders, and 55 bags of cassava, allegedly intended to conceal the pipes during transport, were recovered.

The suspects reportedly made statements that are helping investigators identify other members of the network.

In Nasarawa State, police intercepted two suspected armed robbers following a gun duel after a robbery at Uluji Village, Keana Local Government Area. One pump-action rifle and a stolen motorcycle were recovered, while another suspect, Isaac Michael, was arrested in connection with the incident.

In Abia State, Ogbonnaya Mba was arrested following a threat-to-life complaint involving a firearm. A pump-action gun and an AK-47 rifle magazine were recovered from his residence.

Similarly, in Offa, Kwara State, police arrested Afolabi Ayomide, 25, after he allegedly threatened people with a firearm at Avalon Hotel. A locally crafted Beretta pistol loaded with six rounds of ammunition was recovered.

The FCT Police Command also arrested Jude Tar, 27, over an alleged armed robbery and rape case in Pegi, while four suspected vandals were apprehended near the National Mosque for allegedly vandalising street solar lights.

In Enugu State, three suspects were arrested over alleged vandalism and theft of government infrastructure at Umueze, Nkanu West Local Government Area, with stolen iron pans and street lights recovered.

Meanwhile, seven suspects were arrested in Oyo State following an attack on two members of a local vigilante group at Agate Mining Camp, Komu. The injured victims were rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment.

Delta State recorded multiple successes, including the arrest of 10 suspects at a suspected criminal hideout in Abbi, where tramadol, Swinnol, Canadian Loud and Indian hemp were recovered. Police also recovered firearms abandoned by fleeing suspects in separate incidents at Oghara and Effurun and arrested three suspects following an attack on police officers at Ekiugbo Scrap Market.