The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its nationwide crackdown on criminal elements, arresting at least 40 suspects, rescuing 13 kidnapped victims and recovering firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles and other criminal exhibits across 17 states.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in the State-by-State summary of police operational successes released on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
The operations, conducted between August 6 and 8, resulted in major breakthroughs against kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers, bandits and other criminal networks, while police intervention also restored peace in a conflict-prone community in Kogi State.
In Enugu State, combined security teams rescued five kidnapped victims after tracing their abductors to the Anuka Forest Reserve, near Kogi State. The security operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing the hoodlums to flee and abandon their victims.
The five victims were rescued unhurt without payment of ransom, while a Hijet mini bus belonging to one of them was recovered.
In another operation in Enugu, two victims abducted from St. Joseph Catholic Church, Inoyi Community, Affa, Udi Local Government Area, were rescued unhurt following sustained pressure and pursuit by joint security forces. They were subsequently debriefed and reunited with their families.
Ogun State also recorded a major breakthrough after six students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, who were kidnapped at Ipara, were rescued following intensive security pressure.
Anti-Kidnapping operatives, working with personnel of the Department of State Services, subsequently stormed the kidnappers’ hideout and engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle.
Three suspected kidnappers were neutralised during the operation, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Police recovered one AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine, three mobile phones and ₦2.3 million cash.
In Katsina State, police operatives attached to the Vigilance and Crisis Response Unit, alongside vigilante personnel and tactical units, engaged armed bandits in a fierce gun battle at Ganzaki Hill, Malumfashi Local Government Area.
One bandit was neutralised, while another injured suspect was arrested during subsequent cordon-and-search operations. Two kidnapped children were rescued unhurt, while an AK-47 rifle loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition and five rustled animals were recovered.
In Imo State, police operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a suspected IPOB/ESN militia hideout at Odumara Orodo, Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
Eleven suspected members of the group were arrested during the operation, while a charm-fortified bullet-proof vest made of wood was recovered.
The Force also recorded significant successes against cultism.
In Akwa Ibom State, police detectives stormed an alleged confraternity initiation ceremony at Ikot Idem Village, Ikot Ekpene LGA, following credible intelligence. Four suspected cultists were arrested at the scene, while other participants fled.
The suspects reportedly confessed to being members of cult groups and attending the initiation ceremony.
Similarly, in Enugu State, police operatives arrested 10 suspected cultists at Obeagu Ogui after obtaining information from an earlier arrested suspect. The suspects reportedly confessed to membership of various unlawful societies.
In Ekiti State, police arrested a suspected cultist at Efon-Alaaye and recovered a locally made single-barrel gun, one cartridge and a mobile phone from the suspect.
The state also recorded another breakthrough when Rapid Response Squad operatives intercepted three suspected members of an ATM robbery syndicate at Basiri, Ado-Ekiti. Sixteen ATM cards belonging to different banks were recovered, while the suspects reportedly confessed to specialising in ATM robbery.
In Ondo State, police operatives on stop-and-search duty along Owo-Ute Road arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered one cut-to-size pistol and four rounds of live ammunition.
Bauchi State police arrested a suspected assailant following a shooting incident in Gobur Village, Duguri District. The victim was evacuated to hospital but was subsequently certified dead. A Dane gun allegedly used in the incident was recovered as an exhibit.
In Gombe State, police arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal assault of a 39-year-old man in a bush at Gona.
Nasarawa State police also arrested a suspect accused of threatening to kill a resident and firing a pistol. A Russian-made pistol without a magazine, a knife and a spent cartridge case were recovered.
In a separate operation in Nasarawa, police Vigilance and Crisis Response Unit operatives on visibility patrol intercepted an unregistered grey Toyota Camry with three occupants along the Tudun Kwashi axis of Lafia.
The occupants were arrested after allegedly failing to provide a satisfactory account of ownership of the vehicle, which was recovered and taken into police custody.
In Plateau State, police operatives arrested three suspects over an alleged plot to kidnap the wives of two bishops in Jos.
The suspects reportedly confessed to the alleged crime, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.
Rivers State police also arrested a suspected member of a “one-chance” robbery syndicate allegedly operating under the guise of commercial transportation.
An ash-coloured Keke bus allegedly used by the syndicate was recovered, while the suspect is providing information expected to assist in arresting other members of the gang.
Meanwhile, police intervention has restored peace in Abugi, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, following a critical stakeholders’ meeting convened to address a community conflict.
The meeting identified the causes and principal actors in the conflict, with stakeholders agreeing on measures to promote reconciliation. Police said deliberations were peaceful and normalcy has been restored, while personnel remain deployed at strategic locations.
CSP Ani Iniedu said the various operations demonstrate the Force’s sustained commitment to dismantling criminal networks, rescued victims, recovered illegal arms and restored peace and security across the country.
The cases remain under investigation by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments, with efforts ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects and bring all those connected with the crimes to justice.
