The Nigeria Police Force says its operatives rescued 34 kidnapped victims and arrested several suspects in separate operations across Gombe, Sokoto and Rivers states between September 24 and 25, 2026….
The Nigeria Police Force says its operatives rescued 34 kidnapped victims and arrested several suspects in separate operations across Gombe, Sokoto and Rivers states between September 24 and 25, 2026.
The operations also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, motorcycles and stolen vehicles, according to a state-by-state operational update issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Iniedu.
In Gombe State, police and other security personnel conducted a clearance operation in Ribado Ward, Funakaye Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of four suspected kidnappers and the rescue of two victims.
The operation also forced fleeing members of the gang to release another kidnapped victim, who was subsequently reunited with his family. Three motorcycles were recovered as exhibits.
In Sokoto State, police tactical teams, working with military personnel, foiled an attack by armed bandits on vehicles conveying passengers on September 24.
The security personnel engaged the attackers, forcing them to flee into a nearby forest and abandon their victims.
“Thirty kidnapped victims were successfully rescued unhurt,” the statement said, adding that two injured victims were evacuated to a medical facility.
In Rivers State, police patrol operatives intercepted a suspected kidnap gang following a high-speed chase on September 24.
One kidnapped victim was rescued while one suspected kidnapper was arrested.
Police also recovered an AK-47 rifle, three rounds of live ammunition and a tricycle.
In Lagos, police responded to a distress call over the theft of two vehicles on September 25 and launched a pursuit of the suspects.
The suspects abandoned the vehicles and fled when they realised that police operatives were closing in. Both vehicles were recovered and secured at a police station.
Other operations across the country resulted in arrests and recoveries linked to violent and other crimes.
In Enugu State, police and neighbourhood watch personnel raided a suspected criminal hideout and arrested a suspect, recovering a locally made pistol.
In Benue State, two suspected cultists were arrested during a routine patrol, with police recovering a locally fabricated revolver pistol, two expended rounds of ammunition, a mobile phone and charms.
In the Federal Capital Territory, three suspicious persons were intercepted behind Maitama Extension.
One suspect was arrested after a chase and reportedly provided information identifying his alleged accomplices in cable vandalism.
Police also reported arrests in murder and manslaughter investigations in Ebonyi and Ogun states.
In Ebonyi, a suspect linked to the death of a victim who had sustained severe burn injuries was arrested, while the corpse was deposited at a hospital mortuary for autopsy.
In Ogun, police arrested a suspect in a suspected murder case and deposited the corpse of the victim at a hospital morgue for autopsy.
Another suspect was arrested in connection with the death of a newborn allegedly following medical intervention.
The infant’s remains were deposited at the General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, for autopsy.
Police detectives also recovered a blood-stained bedsheet as an exhibit during investigation into another suspected murder in Ogun State.
In Adamawa State, police responded to a reported terrorist attack on communities in Hong Local Government Area, recovering three bodies and evacuating two injured victims for treatment.
Joint security operatives are currently trailing the perpetrators, the police said.
In Kaduna State, police mobilised an APC patrol team following a bandit attack and blocked escape routes in an effort to contain the attackers.
Two injured victims were evacuated to General Hospital, Malumfashi, for medical attention.
The Force said the various cases remain under investigation by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments.
