Police Arrest 44, Rescue Six Kidnap Victims Across 12 States in 24 Hours

The Nigeria Police Force arrested 44 suspects and rescued six kidnapped victims in coordinated operations carried out across 12 states within 24 hours, according to its latest nationwide security report.

The operational update, contained in the daily situation report issued on Monday by the Office of the Force Public Relations Officer for the Inspector-General of Police, also showed that officers recovered three vehicles and one locally fabricated firearm during the operations recorded up to July 12.

The report indicated that police responded to incidents spanning homicide, armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping and gender-based violence across Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Gombe, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Osun and Zamfara states.

A major breakthrough was recorded in Nasarawa State, where police and other security agencies rescued six persons abducted on July 3 in Andaha Town.

The victims were freed unhurt following sustained pressure mounted by a joint search team and were later debriefed, medically examined and reunited with their families.

The rescue followed a multi-agency clearance operation covering nine communities, including Andaha, Nunku, Anku, Agyaga, Angwan Mallam, Tapir, Dundu, Angwan Pah and Akka.

The operation involved the police, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Counter-Terrorism Unit, anti-kidnapping and anti-robbery squads, Police Mobile Force, Village Crime Reduction Unit, Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters.

Police said the operation led to the arrest of 29 suspects, while substances suspected to be cannabis were recovered. The suspects are undergoing further screening as tactical operations continue in the affected communities.

Also in Nasarawa, operatives responding to an armed robbery attack behind the Area Command in Lafia recovered a Lexus sports utility vehicle, a laptop and other items stolen from a student after the suspects abandoned them while fleeing. One suspect was arrested.

In Anambra State, police arrested a suspected electricity infrastructure vandal identified as Chiemerie Chukwuma after he was electrocuted while allegedly attempting to vandalise a transformer belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in Nnewi.

The suspect is receiving treatment under police custody at St. Felix Hospital, while detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka have commenced investigations.

Three suspected cult members, all students of the Federal University Otuoke, were arrested in Bayelsa State following a violent clash between rival cult groups in Otuaba Community, Ogbia Local Government Area.

Police recovered a battle axe and a Toyota Corolla during the operation, while two of the suspects sustained injuries.

In Benue State, three suspects were arrested after allegedly attacking the office of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard in Taraku, Gwer East Local Government Area. Officers also recovered a locally fabricated pistol, while other members of the group escaped.

Detectives in Delta State arrested three suspects over the death of a 32-year-old man, Ikechukwu Odoh, who reportedly died after attempting to intervene in a fight that escalated from a minor disagreement in Ubulu-Okiti.

The victim was confirmed dead at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, while the suspects remain in custody pending the conclusion of investigations.

In Gombe State, police arrested a suspected cattle rustler and recovered two stolen cows and an operational vehicle during a routine patrol in Dukku Local Government Area.

The suspect allegedly assaulted a police corporal during the arrest, fracturing the officer’s right hand, while an accomplice escaped.

The report also highlighted two separate homicide cases in Niger State, where unidentified gunmen killed the chairman of a local vigilante group in Sarkin-Pawa and another victim in Kontagora.

Police also arrested a suspect linked to a missing persons case after he was allegedly found with victims’ SIM cards, National Identification Number (NIN) cards and other personal belongings.

In Ogun State, a 24-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly helping a rape suspect evade arrest by tipping him off during an investigation into the alleged rape of a 17-year-old student in Abeokuta. The principal suspect remains at large.

Police in Osun State also launched investigations into the killing of a 29-year-old man at a mining site in Ila-Ijesa after armed men reportedly attacked the location, shot the victim and fled with cash and mobile phones.

In Zamfara State, suspected bandits ambushed members of the Community Protection Guard along the Gusau-Tsafe highway, killing two operatives.

However, police said another operation in Gummi Local Government Area led to the recovery of four cows abandoned by fleeing bandits after an exchange of gunfire with operatives.

Meanwhile, the force confirmed that it provided security for the official visit of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Lokoja, Kogi State, with the engagement ending without any security breach.

According to the national crime statistics, police recorded seven homicide cases, two armed robbery incidents, two cult-related cases, one kidnapping and one case of gender-based violence during the reporting period. Three vehicles and one firearm were recovered, while no suspect was neutralised.

Investigations into the various incidents have been transferred to the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments for further action.