Police Arrest 455 Suspects, Rescue 27 Kidnap Victims in One Week
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 455 criminal suspects and rescued 27 kidnapped victims during nationwide operations conducted between September 19 and 25, 2026.
The operations, carried out under the strategic leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, PSC(+), NPM, also resulted in the recovery of 15 firearms, 413 rounds of live ammunition and five vehicles.
The Force disclosed this in its weekly operational briefing issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CPS Anietie Okokon Iniedu.
According to the briefing, four armed suspects were neutralised during operations targeting kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, banditry, cultism, terrorism, cattle rustling and other criminal activities.
The Police recorded several major breakthroughs across different states.
In Benue State, operatives rescued eight kidnapped victims following an attack on a commercial bus.
In Anambra State, the Police arrested a suspected child trafficker and recovered a six-month-old child allegedly stolen from her mother. The child was subsequently reunited with her family.
In the Federal Capital Territory, coordinated raids across 16 police divisions led to the arrest of 334 suspects, with illicit drugs also recovered.
Police operatives in Adamawa State raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Shako Forest, rescuing two victims and recovering ammunition.
In Delta State, 20 suspected cultists were arrested during a raid on a hotel, while four suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) were arrested in Anambra State over alleged involvement in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices.
In Katsina State, Police operatives foiled a bandit attack and rescued seven victims, including six female university students, who were reportedly unharmed.
In Kaduna State, operatives dismantled a suspected gun-running syndicate and recovered 300 rounds of live ammunition.
The Force also announced the arrest of a wanted suspected serial armed robber and kidnapper in Abia State.
In Lagos State, four suspected members of an armed robbery gang were arrested, while two firearms were recovered.
The Nigeria Police Force said the operational results reflected its continued focus on intelligence-led policing, community collaboration and sustained pressure on criminal networks.
The Force assured Nigerians that it would continue to intensify efforts to protect lives and property while disrupting criminal activities across the country.
It also commended its personnel for their commitment to frontline operations and appreciated communities that continue to support security efforts nationwide.
