Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a series of operational successes across seven states and the Federal Capital Territory, including the arrest of a suspected armed robber and a trans-border drug trafficker, the rescue of kidnap victims, and the recovery of firearms, stolen vehicles and rustled cattle. The operations, carried out within the last 24 hours, underscore the ongoing nationwide efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to disrupt criminal activities through intelligence-led policing and coordinated tactical deployments.
In Rivers State, police operatives arrested a suspect identified as Kelvin Tamunu, also known as “Jagaplus,” during an operation at a hideout in the Abonnema Waterside area of Port Harcourt. According to the police, the suspect is under investigation over alleged involvement in multiple armed robbery and burglary incidents, including an attack on a retired police officer at Abacha Link Road in the New GRA area of Port Harcourt on May 6, 2026. The police said two pump-action rifles and nine rounds of live cartridges were recovered during the operation. Authorities added that the suspect is receiving medical attention for injuries sustained during the operation, while efforts have been intensified to locate and apprehend other individuals believed to be connected with the case. The State Criminal Investigation Department in Port Harcourt is handling further investigations.
In Sokoto State, police said security operatives foiled an attack on Ayawa Village in Tangaza Local Government Area after armed assailants allegedly rustled livestock from the community. The police said tactical teams, anti-kidnapping operatives and members of the Village Crime Reduction Unit were mobilised to block escape routes following the incident. A gun battle reportedly followed, after which the assailants fled into a nearby forest. Police said all 11 rustled cows were recovered and would be returned to their verified owners through community leaders. They also confirmed that no casualties were recorded among residents or security personnel, while surveillance has been strengthened across the area.
In Plateau State, police recovered a 2022 Toyota Hilux reportedly stolen from a residence in Kwata Zawan, Jos South Local Government Area. The vehicle was tracked to Bauchi State, where it was recovered. Police also arrested two suspects identified as Ibrahim Tijjani, 30, and Mohammed Umar, 33, both residents of Jos North Local Government Area. The Plateau State Criminal Investigation Department has commenced further investigations into the case. Police also reported success in Nasarawa State after responding to a reported kidnapping incident around the Megona Filling Station along the Akwanga-Jos Road. According to the police, suspected kidnappers engaged operatives in a gun battle before retreating into nearby bushes. All victims were rescued without injury, while food items reportedly taken from a nearby shop were recovered. A joint operation involving the police, military personnel, local vigilantes and hunters is continuing to comb surrounding forests in search of those who fled the scene.
In Katsina State, police arrested a 37-year-old man, Ibrahim Usman, along the Mashi–Birnin Kuka border, recovering 28 blocks of suspected cannabis. “The suspect confessed to transporting the illicit consignment from Lagos State for distribution within Nigeria and the Niger Republic,” the police said. In the Federal Capital Territory, police arrested a suspect found with two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, suspected cannabis and charms. Officers also recovered a stolen BMW X6 and impounded a suspected stolen Mercedes-Benz E350. Meanwhile, in Benue State, police carried out an intelligence-led clearance operation on a suspected bandit camp in Logo Local Government Area, forcing the criminals to flee into forests bordering Nasarawa State.
The nationwide operations spanned the Federal Capital Territory, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Kebbi, Ogun, Benue, Sokoto, Anambra, Katsina, Kwara, Jigawa and Edo states. Abuja recorded the largest number of arrests during the nationwide operation after coordinated raids by operatives drawn from 11 police divisions targeted identified criminal hideouts, abandoned buildings and other locations considered vulnerable to criminal activities. The operation resulted in the arrest of 87 suspects, while officers recovered quantities of suspected cannabis, other suspected illicit substances and knives. In Delta State, intelligence-driven operations led police operatives to a suspected cult hideout in Amukpe, Sapele Local Government Area, where eight suspected cult members, including two women, were arrested. Recovered during the operation were three locally fabricated pistols, six live cartridges, eight rounds of assorted ammunition, two axes, cannabis grinders and a bottle containing a substance suspected to be illicit.
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command also announced the arrest of a suspected supplier of logistics and illicit drugs to kidnapping gangs, the rescue of an abducted woman without payment of ransom, and the arrest of several robbery and vehicle theft suspects in a series of operations across Abuja. The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, disclosed the developments during a press briefing at the FCT Police Command Headquarters, saying the operations formed part of the command’s ongoing crackdown on kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes. Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested one Umaru Danda, a native of Zamfara State, at Gadabiu village in neighbouring Niger State on July 10 while investigating the July 8 kidnapping attack at Yellow House in Mpape. Police said investigations identified Danda as a key supplier of hard drugs, logistics and other items used by the kidnappers responsible for the Mpape attack. The suspect led operatives to three hideouts allegedly used by the gang in Niger State, where officers recovered an AK-47 rifle, large quantities of tramadol, substances suspected to be cocaine and cannabis, cannabis pills, Embazol tablets, digital weighing scales, ATM cards, AirPods, bags and N250,000 cash.
The police also announced the rescue of a woman abducted by gunmen in Karshi on July 12. According to Sanusi, the kidnappers fired sporadically before fleeing with the victim, prompting the deployment of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to comb Karshi and adjoining routes linking the FCT with Nasarawa State through the Waru Hills. He said the victim was rescued unharmed on July 16 at about 12:45 a.m. without any ransom being paid. The police recovered a painted Makarov pistol, a dagger, military camouflage clothing and assorted charms during the rescue operation. The command also announced the arrest of four suspected vehicle thieves accused of targeting ride-hailing drivers. The suspects, identified as Ibrahim Ismail, Ahmad Umar, Riskwa Shehu and Umar Abubakar, were arrested on July 7 by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit following intelligence. Police alleged that the suspects posed as ride-hailing passengers before attacking drivers and stealing their vehicles and valuables.
The latest operational figures reflect the police’s sustained efforts to strengthen internal security amid persistent concerns over violent crime in parts of the country. The Nigeria Police Force has reaffirmed its commitment to combating kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes while enhancing public safety across the country. The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Iniedu, confirmed the operations, noting that joint bush-combing operations involving the Police, Military, Vigilantes and Local Hunters are ongoing to track down fleeing suspects in various states. The police have urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support security agencies in tackling crime across the country.
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