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The Nigeria Police Force has rescued 97 abducted victims unhurt and arrested 17 criminal suspects across multiple state commands in a series of coordinated operational breakthroughs.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the operational updates from Force Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, detailing security interventions spanning Kaduna, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sokoto, Oyo, Rivers, Taraba, Kogi, and Anambra States.
Major Kidnap Rescues Across Northern States
The largest operation occurred along the Kaduna-Niger axis, where detectives swiftly mobilised following the abduction of 75 persons at Polwaya Village in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
Overpowered by the arriving security operatives, the abductors fled the scene, allowing police to rescue all 75 victims unhurt with their belongings before conveying them to the Area Command for debriefing.
In Benue State, joint tactical teams executed a night operation on August 20 at Amla-Cho Forest following the abduction of bus passengers.
The maneuver forced armed bandits to flee, leading to the rescue of 13 kidnapped passengers who were given medical attention and safely returned home.
Similarly, in the FCT, sustained bush-combing operations by police operatives and local vigilantes in the Sunami Forest, Kuje Area Council, forced kidnappers to abandon two victims without any ransom payment.
Clearance Operations and River Rescue
In Kogi State, security forces dismantled a key transit point for kidnappers, demolishing an abandoned settlement along the Kabba/Bunu-Obajana/Lokoja axis used by bandits to hold abducted farmers.
Meanwhile, search-and-rescue teams in Sokoto State pulled seven passengers alive from the Goronyo River following a boat mishap on August 20. Police operatives continue to coordinate search operations along the river to locate remaining missing passengers.
Suspects Napped, Weapons and Contraband Seized
Police operations across the southern and central regions resulted in several key arrests:
Rivers State: Eight suspects were arrested at the University of Port Harcourt premises following an attempted disturbance. Operatives recovered two locally made pistols and four cutlasses.
Anambra State: Acting on credible intelligence, police raided a criminal hideout in Nofia, Njikoka LGA, arresting five suspects. Recovered exhibits included vandalized electricity cables, illicit drugs, cash, and counterfeit currency.
Taraba State: Three armed robbery suspects were apprehended at the scene in the New Era Area of Jalingo, and an operational tricycle was impounded.
Oyo State: Operatives arrested a suspect in connection with a reported fatal stabbing at the Alajiki 7UP Academy area in Ibadan.
CSP Iniedu confirmed that the State Criminal Investigation Departments (SCIDs) across all affected commands have launched detailed investigations into the respective cases to track down fleeing accomplices and secure prosecution.
