Police
The Nigeria Police Force has reported a series of operational successes across multiple states, resulting in the rescue of abducted victims, the recovery of illegal firearms and ammunition, and the arrest of over 70 suspects linked to robbery, kidnapping, and cultism.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, detailed the executive summary of the operations on September 11, 2026, highlighting major crackdowns led by various State Criminal Investigation Departments (SCID).
Breakdown of the achievements recorded across the affected states:
Lagos State: Police tactical operatives acted on credible intelligence to apprehend the ringleader and four members of an armed robbery syndicate. Authorities recovered three locally-made pistols, five unexpended cartridges, and 300 rounds of 9mm live ammunition.
FCT, Abuja: Operatives from the Maitama, Wuse, Utako, and Durumi divisions conducted targeted raids on uncompleted buildings and known black spots, arresting 54 suspects and confiscating quantities of illicit drugs, including Indian hemp.
Delta State: In Asaba, police recovered a three-year-old child who had been stolen at birth in 2023, arresting two suspects, Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Igbiaye. In a separate operation, officers raided a criminal shrine, arresting a suspected firearms dealer and recovering a pump-action gun, daggers, a battle axe, and charms.
Ebonyi State: Following the abduction of Reverend Ede Sunday John Tobechukwu, police pursued the armed assailants, forcing them to abandon the victim. The clergyman was rescued unharmed, and his Toyota Avalon vehicle was recovered.
Anambra State: Detectives investigating a kidnapping and vehicle theft case arrested key suspect Victor Onwuka (alias “Bugatti”) alongside an alleged receiver of stolen items, Madukaife Chidebere Kenechukwu.
Akwa Ibom State: A multi-day operation led to the arrest of six armed robbery suspects and the retrieval of two locally-made pistols, live ammunition, and six stolen motorcycles.
Plateau State: Police arrested three members of a robbery and kidnapping syndicate operating in Pankshin LGA, seizing a Browning pistol, 11 rounds of live ammunition, and a machete.
Jigawa State: Responding to an active robbery attack in Hadejia, officers neutralized one armed robber during a gun duel while others escaped with injuries. Stolen electronics were recovered from the scene.
Zamfara State: A raid on a criminal hideout resulted in five arrests and the recovery of 70 bags of cement, iron rods, and drums suspected to have been stolen from the Ekiti State Airport project.
The Force Headquarters confirmed that investigations into all cases are actively ongoing at their respective state SCID divisions to apprehend remaining fleeing suspects.
