The Nigeria Police Force has announced the rescue of 12 kidnapped victims, the arrest of 15 suspects and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles and other exhibits during coordinated security operations carried out across 11 states within the last 24 hours.
According to the police, the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, vandalism, impersonation, cattle theft and other criminal activities across the country.
A situation report released by the Force on Monday revealed that tactical units and intelligence teams conducted several successful operations, leading to multiple arrests and the recovery of various items linked to criminal activities.
In Niger State, police tactical operatives, working alongside local vigilantes, engaged suspected bandits in a gun battle at Mangoro Village in Mariga Local Government Area.
The operation resulted in the successful rescue of 11 kidnapped victims, who were freed without sustaining injuries.
Police said the victims were reunited with their families after the operation.
Also in Niger State, detectives attached to the command arrested a suspect in connection with a fatal land dispute in Agaie Local Government Area.
In Oyo State, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad rescued a five-year-old child who had been abducted after carrying out what the police described as a technology-driven investigation.
The operation led to the arrest of two suspects.
According to investigators, the suspects allegedly demanded a ransom of ₦10 million from the child’s family and had already received ₦1 million before their arrest.
In another operation within Oyo State, officers conducting stop-and-search duties in Ibadan intercepted a suspect.
Recovered from the individual were a locally fabricated pistol, one live cartridge and substances suspected to be illicit drugs.
In Edo State, police arrested three suspects allegedly involved in vandalising telecommunications infrastructure in Benin City.
Further investigations led officers to recover a Toyota Yaris vehicle and 12 heavy-duty batteries believed to have been stolen during an earlier operation.
In Kano State, intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of a suspect accused of impersonating military personnel.
Police recovered an AK-47 rifle magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, an additional 29 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, military camouflage uniforms, desert boots, suspected fake military identity cards and other exhibits from the suspect.
Similarly, operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command arrested a suspect in Gwagwalada.
A locally fabricated firearm was recovered during the operation.
In Gombe State, police officers acting on credible intelligence intercepted a vehicle transporting two cows suspected to have been stolen.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, while another suspect reportedly escaped and is currently being tracked by investigators.
The vehicle used in transporting the animals was also recovered.
In Ogun State, detectives arrested four suspects in separate cases involving allegations of defilement, criminal impersonation and assault.
The police said military uniforms allegedly used by one of the suspects to impersonate security personnel were recovered during the investigation.
Beyond the arrests, the Force disclosed that tactical teams were also deployed to respond to violent incidents reported in Plateau, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, Benue and Bauchi states.
According to the report, officers evacuated casualties from affected communities, restored public order and commenced investigations aimed at identifying and apprehending those responsible for the attacks.
Summarising the operations, the Nigeria Police Force stated that the nationwide crackdown led to the rescue of 12 kidnapped victims, the arrest of 15 suspects and the recovery of two firearms, 60 rounds of ammunition and two vehicles.
The Force added that investigations remain ongoing to arrest fleeing suspects and ensure that all those connected to the various crimes are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
