The Nigeria Police Force has recorded significant operational successes across nine states, rescuing a kidnapped teenager, arresting 23 suspects linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, homicide and rape, while recovering an AK-47 rifle, six other firearms, ammunition, vehicles and other dangerous weapons in coordinated operations conducted within the last 24 hours.
The Nigeria Police Force intensified its nationwide offensive against violent crime, with operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) and the Special Tactical Squad/Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) recording major breakthroughs across Katsina, Delta, Osun, Rivers, Ondo, Benue, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Taraba and Oyo states.
In Katsina State, VCRU operatives foiled a kidnap and cattle rustling operation after engaging suspected armed bandits in a prolonged gun battle around the Funtua-Dandume axis in the early hours of July 19. During the operation, the officers successfully rescued 16-year-old Hafiza Rabiu, who had earlier been abducted from Babbangida Village in Danja Local Government Area. She was rescued unharmed and taken to hospital, while the fleeing bandits reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds. Security operatives have since commenced bush combing operations to recover rustled livestock.
In Delta State, police arrested six suspects linked to cultism and kidnapping. Four suspected cultists initially arrested by officers from Igbodo Division led investigators to four additional suspects during follow-up operations. Separately, VCRU operatives arrested two suspects believed to be members of a regional kidnapping syndicate linked to a wanted fugitive.
In Osun State, operatives arrested five suspected cultists after responding to reports of sporadic gunfire in the Jatta area. Recovered during the operation were an unregistered Toyota Sienna bus, a single-barrel gun, 10 live cartridges, a cutlass, a knife and charms.
In Rivers State, police dismantled a kidnapping syndicate responsible for the abduction of a 35-year-old businesswoman, Jane Ikechukwu. Following coordinated intelligence-led operations after ransom payment, the victim was rescued and hospitalised while five suspects, including one Owhor Chinedu, were arrested alongside relevant exhibits.
In Ondo State, police operatives neutralised the activities of an armed robbery syndicate operating along the Lagos-Ondo corridor with the arrest of three suspects. Officers recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with 18 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Beretta pistol with four rounds of 9mm ammunition, a Mercedes-Benz ML350 SUV, a battle axe and an iron cutter.
Benue State recorded two separate operations. In the first, operatives recovered a locally fabricated pistol, two rounds of live ammunition and a machete following a farm attack in which the assailant was fatally wounded. In another incident, police arrested one Dauda after responding to gunshots at a market square, recovering a double-barrel gun, three live cartridges and a knife.
In Imo State, an intelligence-led raid on a hostel in Owerri led to the arrest of a suspected cultist, Opara Ikechi, aged 23. Officers recovered a locally fabricated pistol, one live round of ammunition, a dagger and a suspected confraternity scarf.
In Akwa Ibom State, detectives responding to gunshots arrested one Divine Effiong Udo and recovered a single-barrel gun with two expended cartridges.
Similarly, in Taraba State, joint patrol teams comprising police operatives and local hunters arrested a 57-year-old suspect found in possession of a locally made Beretta pistol and 12 rounds of ammunition. The suspect is expected to be charged to court.
Meanwhile, in Oyo State, police arrested two suspects over the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl after reportedly luring her with ₦1,500. The victim was taken to the Police Medical Hospital in Agodi, where medical examination confirmed penetration. Investigators recovered exhibits from the scene, and the suspects will be arraigned upon completion of investigations.
The Nigeria Police Force said the operations demonstrate its sustained commitment to combating violent crime, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that criminal elements are brought to justice across the country.
