The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 145 high-profile criminal suspects, rescued 18 kidnapped victims and recovered 26 firearms and 511 rounds of live ammunition across the country in operations conducted between August 22 and 28, 2026.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, who disclosed this during the Force’s weekly operational briefing on Friday, said the achievements were recorded through intelligence-led operations, tactical deployments and collaboration with local communities and other security agencies.
According to the Force, the operations also resulted in the recovery of 11 vehicles and the neutralisation of three armed suspects involved in various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, banditry, cultism, human trafficking, drug peddling and vandalism.
Among the major successes recorded during the week was the rescue of the Onigbesi of Igbesi, HRH Oba Moses Oyinloye Omotayo, and two other victims in Kwara State.
The victims were rescued on August 27 after police operatives and local vigilantes engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun duel around the Elerin/Ijomu-Oro axis. One suspected kidnapper was neutralised during the encounter.
In Kaduna State, police operatives intercepted a suspicious passenger at Yan Karfe Motor Park on August 25 and recovered two AK-47 rifles, 275 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 228 RPG rounds, five magazines, cash and suspected hard drugs from his possession.
The suspect was arrested and is assisting with ongoing investigations.
Also in Kaduna, Police VCRU operatives, working with local vigilantes, raided a suspected kidnapping hideout in Gidan Mijin Gwaggo Durum, Makarfi Local Government Area, rescuing three kidnapped victims who were subsequently reunited with their families.
In Ogun State, police operatives raided a suspected baby factory in Mowe, rescuing two pregnant women and four children. Five suspects were arrested over alleged child trafficking and illegal adoption.
Similarly, operatives in Taraba State, in collaboration with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, dismantled an illegal firearms manufacturing operation in Jalingo. One suspect was arrested, while six locally manufactured firearms and firearms-production tools were recovered.
In Imo State, police arrested three suspected sponsors and collaborators linked to terrorist activities following the death of suspected terrorist kingpin Chiemela, alias “Disaster”, and a foiled attack on Agwa Police Station.
Two rifles, including an AK-47 allegedly stolen from the station in 2022, were recovered during the operation.
The Federal Capital Territory also recorded a major operation against drug-related crimes, with 51 suspected drug peddlers arrested during coordinated raids on criminal hotspots in Karu, Dutse Alhaji, Trademore, Wuye, Abaji and Wuse Market.
Large quantities of suspected Indian hemp and other illicit drugs, as well as knives and other dangerous weapons, were recovered.
In Oyo State, police arrested two members of a suspected trans-border armed robbery syndicate allegedly involved in stealing exotic vehicles for onward disposal across neighbouring countries.
The suspects were intercepted along the Ibadan–Ilorin Expressway in a stolen 2017 Lexus RX 350. Laptops, an iPhone 15 Pro Max, wristwatches and jewellery allegedly belonging to the victim were also recovered.
Meanwhile, in Benue State, Operation Zenda operatives repelled an attack by armed bandits targeting farmers in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area.
One bandit was neutralised during the encounter, while an AK-47 rifle and seven rounds of live ammunition were recovered.
In Enugu State, an investigation into a phone theft case led police operatives to uncover a suspected human trafficking operation. A suspect allegedly confessed to trafficking four female victims to an accomplice in Ghana since early 2026, reportedly receiving ₦250,000 for each victim.
The Police said the development demonstrated the effectiveness of its intelligence-led and community-collaborative policing strategy in disrupting criminal networks and protecting vulnerable citizens.
The Force assured Nigerians that operations against criminal elements would continue across the country, with the IGP reaffirming the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to public safety, institutional reform and the protection of lives and property.
