Police Rescue Five Kidnap Victims in One-Day Operations Across 12 States, FCT

The Nigeria Police Force said it rescued five kidnapped victims, arrested 14 suspects and recovered 350 rounds of ammunition in coordinated operations carried out across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory within a single reporting period.

The operational update was contained in a daily situation report issued on Thursday by the Office of the Force Public Relations Officer for the Inspector-General of Police, covering security incidents and police activities recorded up to July 8.

According to the report, the operations also led to the recovery of four firearms and three stolen vehicles, while three armed suspects were neutralised during separate encounters with security operatives.

In Bauchi State, police operatives, working with other security agencies, rescued three kidnap victims during a joint operation around the Yankari Game Reserve. Although no arrest was made, the Force said tactical teams were pursuing the fleeing kidnappers.

In Delta State, officers rescued a female kidnap victim who was found unconscious before she was taken to hospital for treatment.

Another rescue was recorded in Nasarawa State, where police secured the freedom of one of three university students abducted by gunmen. Search operations are continuing to locate the remaining two victims.

The report stated that kidnapping remained the most prevalent serious crime during the period under review, accounting for eight reported cases nationwide.

It, however, noted that cross-state rescue operations and coordinated security efforts were beginning to produce results.

“Kidnapping remains the most prevalent serious crime; cross-state and forest-based rescue operations are yielding results but require sustained inter-agency coordination,” the report stated.

In Benue State, police arrested the principal suspect in the killing of Professor Gabriel Saawua Nyityo and his son at an NDLEA checkpoint. Officers also neutralised a suspected bandit in Logo Local Government Area and recovered ammunition, a motorcycle and charms, while efforts continued to rescue a female kidnapping victim in Katsina-Ala.

In Ondo State, security operatives foiled a kidnap attempt and killed two suspected kidnappers during a gun battle. A pistol, live ammunition and other items were recovered from the suspects.

Police also recorded significant operational gains in Imo State, where officers recovered 346 rounds of assorted ammunition and seven magazines during a raid on a swamp believed to be used as a criminal hideout. The operation also foiled an assassination attempt, leading to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of two locally made pistols and additional ammunition.

“The recovery of large ammunition caches (Imo) and neutralisation of armed suspects (Benue, Ondo) highlight operational effectiveness but also underscore the proliferation of illegal arms,” the report added.

Elsewhere, police in Edo State arrested an official of the Edo State Security Corps over alleged cult-related activities and recovered a pump-action gun, while officers also launched a bush-combing operation after the abduction of a cattle dealer.

In the FCT, detectives recovered two stolen vehicles and arrested two suspects linked to vehicle theft, including the recovery of a stolen Toyota RAV4 on the same day it was reported missing.

Gombe State Police Command arrested four suspects over the alleged killing of a man during the enforcement of a land dispute, while in Niger State, officers arrested a mentally challenged suspect in connection with a homicide that left one person dead and two others injured.

In Ogun State, police arrested a 60-year-old imam over the alleged defilement of a 15-year-old girl and an attempted termination of pregnancy.

The report also highlighted separate security incidents in Jigawa, Sokoto and Plateau states, including a fatal attack on a Fulani settlement in Jigawa where one man was killed and his wife abducted, the arrest of four suspected cattle rustlers in Sokoto, and the arrest of a suspect carrying a locally fabricated pistol and knife at a health facility in Plateau State.

Nationally, police recorded six homicide cases, eight kidnappings, one banditry incident, one cultism case and one gender-based violence case during the reporting period. No incidents of armed robbery or terrorism were reported.

The Force recommended intensified intelligence-sharing among security agencies, quicker operational response and stronger community engagement to sustain the gains recorded and address emerging security threats across the country.