Police Rescue Victims, Recover Arms in 11-State 24-Hour Sweep

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a string of operational successes across 11 states within the last 24 hours, rescuing kidnap victims, arresting suspected murderers, cultists and armed robbery suspects, while also recovering firearms and ammunition in separate operations.

The Force said the operations, carried out by tactical units and intelligence teams, formed part of ongoing efforts to tackle kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, violent crimes and the proliferation of illegal firearms across the country.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police said five kidnap victims abducted in Zamfara State, including the wife of a local government chairman and four children, were rescued after operatives engaged armed bandits during a pursuit operation.

The victims have since been reunited with their family, while joint security teams continue efforts to rescue the remaining abductees and recover police rifles stolen during the attack. The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Gusau is investigating the incident.

In Enugu State, suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), reportedly engaged community security operatives on patrol in a gun duel.

The police said one suspected IPOB/ESN member was neutralised during the exchange of gunfire, while the SCID and the Violent Crime Response Unit have commenced investigations.

Also in Enugu, three suspects were arrested over an attempted child theft. Police said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Benue State recorded two separate murder-related arrests. In one case, police apprehended two suspects linked to the fatal stabbing of a victim. In another, a man was arrested for allegedly killing his father. Both cases are under investigation by the SCID in Makurdi.

Similarly, operatives in Bauchi State swiftly arrested the principal suspect in a stabbing incident, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend an accomplice who fled the scene.

In Ekiti State, police rescued two suspected armed robbers from an angry mob before taking them into custody for investigation. Officers also recovered a vehicle believed to have been used in the suspects’ operations.

The Force recorded another breakthrough in Imo State, where seven suspected cult members were intercepted during stop-and-search operations.

Police recovered a locally fabricated pistol, one live cartridge and hard drugs from the suspects, who reportedly confessed to involvement in cult-related activities. Efforts are underway to apprehend other members of the gang.

In Katsina State, operatives recovered an AK-47 rifle, three rounds of live ammunition and a motorcycle abandoned by fleeing bandits during intensified patrol operations. Police said visibility patrols had been strengthened to track down the fleeing suspects.

Delta State also recorded two separate recoveries involving illegal firearms.

In one operation, intelligence-led policing led to the arrest of a suspect allegedly in possession of a Beretta pistol.

In another, patrol officers intercepted a suspect and recovered a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a search. Both cases are being handled by the SCID in Asaba.

The police said investigations were ongoing in all the cases and reaffirmed their commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained operations aimed at improving public safety across the country.