The Nigeria Police Force has recorded major operational breakthroughs across the country with the rescue of 35 kidnapped victims and the arrest of 67 suspects linked to offences including armed robbery, cultism, electoral malpractice, firearms trafficking, vandalism, fraud, rape, illicit drug dealing and child defilement.
According to a state-by-state operational summary released by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, ANIPR, the successes were achieved through intelligence-led operations, coordinated tactical deployments and inter-agency collaboration on 29 July 2026.
In Sokoto State, Police tactical teams, Anti-Kidnapping operatives, VCRU personnel and Army troops rescued 32 kidnapped victims comprising six males and 26 females after engaging armed bandits in a gun duel. The bandits fled into the forest under sustained security pressure.
In Nasarawa State, Police operatives rescued three abducted female students, who were medically evaluated and reunited with their families.
In Lagos State, operatives arrested the alleged ring leader of a highway robbery syndicate, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Lagos/Ogun border and arrested 39 suspects during raids on criminal hideouts, recovering hand-push trucks and weighing scales suspected to have been used for criminal activities.
The Federal Capital Territory Command arrested two suspects for vandalising solar infrastructure and recovered 14 solar poles and accessories. Police also apprehended three suspected illicit drug dealers, recovering large quantities of controlled substances including Pregabalin, Tramadol, Nitrazepam and Codeine.
In Delta State, Police arrested eight suspects, including an alleged firearms suspect and seven suspected cult members, recovering locally fabricated pistols, live ammunition, a double-barrel gun, cartridges and cult-related exhibits.
Other operations led to the arrest of a wanted theft suspect and two vandalism suspects in Akwa Ibom State, while in Benue State, operatives apprehended a suspected gun runner with 115 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition and arrested an alleged illegal gun manufacturer, recovering a locally made AK-47 rifle and manufacturing tools.
In Enugu State, Police arrested a suspect over the alleged defilement and impregnation of a 13-year-old girl, while Ekiti State recorded the arrest of a fraud suspect with counterfeit US dollars and charms. In Bauchi State, a rape suspect was arrested following a prompt Police response.
Meanwhile, in Osun State, Police arrested six suspects for alleged vote-buying and other electoral offences, recovering ₦4.818 million in cash, ballot paper specimens, a laptop, printer, photocopy machine, voters’ register and voters’ cards.
The Nigeria Police Force said investigations are ongoing in all the cases, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend fleeing suspects and recover additional exhibits as part of its commitment to combating crime and ensuring public safety across the country.
