Police
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have recorded major operational successes across nine states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between October 20 and 21, 2026, rescuing 29 kidnapped victims including 11 foreign nationals and arresting 17 criminal suspects.
The nationwide operations, which targeted kidnapping syndicates, human traffickers, armed robbers, and separatist groups, led to the recovery of multiple firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles, and logistics.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, released the comprehensive operational summary on Wednesday in Abuja.
Ogun State (11 Ghanaians Rescued): Acting on INTERPOL intelligence, the Police Anti-Kidnapping Team in Ogun State raided a hideout in Sagamu, rescuing 11 Ghanaian nationals held hostage.
Preliminary investigations revealed they were lured to Nigeria by a fellow Ghanaian promising Canadian and Spanish visas before being extorted of 40,000 Ghana Cedis each.
Kogi State (10 Abducted Persons Rescued): Responding to an attack on a Toyota Hummer Bus along the Kabba–Ayere Road, joint police and military forces engaged armed bandits to rescue nine passengers initially, and later rescued a tenth victim during follow-up bush-combing operations.
Two injured victims were evacuated for medical treatment.
Benue State (8 Victims Rescued): Tactical police units and local guards raided a kidnappers’ den in Onyangede, successfully rescuing eight victims, including Rev. Fr. John Otache.
Two suspects were apprehended, and the rescued victims were taken to the Teaching Hospital in Otukpo for medical care.
Key Arrests & Weapon Recoveries
Imo State (Kidnap Kingpin & IPOB/ESN Members): Following up on the recent rescue of 20 prospective NYSC members along the Owerri–Onitsha Road, police arrested suspected kidnap kingpin Mamuda Dahiru, 26, in Ukwa East LGA, Abia State. Dahiru led officers to a forest hideout between Irete and Umuguma, where an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, and 22 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
Separately in Orlu, police and local vigilantes arrested 10 suspected IPOB/ESN members enforcing an illegal sit-at-home order.
FCT, Abuja (Armed Robbery Interrupted): A police surveillance team responded to a distress call along Gado Nasko Road, disarming and arresting two suspects Daniel Julius and Harry Okonkwo while they were robbing an electronics shop. A locally made rifle was recovered.
Lagos & Ebonyi States (Robbery Gangs Busted): In Lagos, police arrested Chinedu Eze, 38, during a residential robbery in Satellite Town, recovering a Beretta pistol with five rounds of live 9mm ammunition.
In Ebonyi State, detectives raided a hideout in Isimkpuma Okpoto Forest, arresting Iseh Ndubuisi, 30, and recovering a double-barrelled pistol linked to robberies along the Abakaliki–Enugu Expressway.
Bandotry Foiled & Technical Tracking
Oyo State: Local hunters and villagers in Ajebamidele Village, Tede, partnered with police and Amotekun Corps personnel to repel a six-man armed gang attempt to kidnap residents. Ammunition casings and a phone were recovered at the scene.
Sokoto State: Police technical operatives tracked a stolen Mercedes-Benz GLK following a ₦1 million ransom demand. Realizing officers were closing in, the suspects abandoned the luxury vehicle and fled.
All cases have been transferred to the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments (SCIDs) for further investigation, while manhunts for fleeing accomplices remain ongoing nationwide.
