The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has intensified its nationwide security operations, making critical arrests, recovering illegal firearms and stolen vehicles, and launching intensive counter-terrorism and rescue missions across multiple states on October 16, 2026.
In a statement released by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the ongoing operations demonstrate the police’s heightened tactical posture against violent crime, insurgency, and kidnapping.
Counter-Terrorism and Emergency Tactical Responses
Adamawa State: Security forces engaged Boko Haram terrorists in a heavy firefight following an invasion of Zangula Village in Gombi LGA. Operatives have cordoned off the area under active operational command to contain the threat and protect local residents.
Niger State: Following a bandit attack along Bangi Road, joint tactical teams comprising police, DSS, special hunters, and local vigilantes were deployed to launch combing operations to track down the armed bandits and safely rescue abducted victims.
Zamfara State: Security operatives responded to two separate incidents. Tactical units were mobilized following the abduction of three persons on the outskirts of Daki Takwas Town to pursue the fleeing perpetrators. Additionally, police secured prompt medical care for three commuters who sustained gunshot injuries during an attack along Kurar Mota Road; all three victims are in stable condition at the hospital.
Major Arrests, Firearms Seizures, and Robbery Busts
Police detectives across the country also recorded significant breakthroughs in anti-carjack, illegal arms, and sexual violence investigations:
Oyo & Lagos States: Acting on actionable intelligence, police arrested two members of an armed robbery syndicate specializing in carjacking along the Oyo/Ibadan Expressway. Operatives recovered a stolen unregistered black Lexus 350 SUV.
Further confessions led to the arrest of two receivers in Lagos State.
Ebonyi State: Operatives on stop-and-search duty intercepted a suspect riding a suspected stolen unregistered motorcycle, recovering two locally made pistols, 11 live cartridges, and an Android phone.
In a separate case in the state, police arrested a 35-year-old man for the alleged defilement of an 11-year-old girl, who is currently receiving medical care.
Rivers State: Following a report of assault and threat to life, detectives arrested a suspect in Port Harcourt. A search of his residence yielded 20 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition, a machete, and a toy gun.
Nasarawa State: Operatives executing a search warrant at New Nyanya recovered a locally made pistol in connection with an illegal firearm petition. Efforts are active to arrest a fleeing accomplice.
Ogun State: Police have opened a murder investigation following the suspicious death of a man initially reported as an accident victim. The corpse has been deposited at the State General Hospital Morgue in Ota for autopsy to establish whether foul play was involved.
All matters are undergoing thorough investigations by the State Criminal Investigation Departments (SCIDs) in their respective states.
