Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Police Force has announced major operational successes recorded across the country between July 20 and July 26, 2026, with the arrest of 138 suspects involved in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and murder . The Force, under the leadership of the 23rd Indigenous Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said the achievements were made possible through intelligence-led policing, enhanced inter-agency collaboration and precision tactical operations . According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, police operatives rescued 23 kidnapped victims, recovered 31 firearms including AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns, 99 rounds of assorted live ammunition, and 20 vehicles . Six notorious criminals were also neutralised during separate armed confrontations with security operatives .
Among the most significant breakthroughs was the dismantling of an inter-state kidnapping syndicate operating across Imo and Lagos states . On July 22, operatives of the Imo State Police Command's Violent Crime Response Unit stormed a kidnappers' hideout at Ogbaku in Mbaitoli Local Government Area, rescuing Donatus Emehara, also known as "Ehara," unhurt . During the operation, two suspected kidnappers, Chinedu Asonna and Chisom Iroche, were neutralised, while Anyanwuocha Stanley was arrested . Follow-up operations in Lagos led to the neutralisation of three additional gang members identified as Ifeanyi, Kelechi Asonna and Chijioke, while the alleged kingpin, Chinonso Izuagu, 41, was arrested . "The coordinated multi-state operation dealt a severe blow to a notorious kidnapping network," the police said .
In Ondo State, operatives intercepted an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz ML 350 on July 19 and arrested three suspected members of an inter-state armed robbery gang . Recovered from the suspects were an AK-47 rifle with 18 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of 9mm ammunition, a battle axe and an iron cutter . The suspects reportedly confessed to carrying out armed robbery operations across Lagos and Ondo states . The Force also recorded a major breakthrough in Zamfara State following the abduction of the Executive Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area, Hon. Nura Umar . Armed bandits had attacked the chairman's residence on July 25, fatally wounding Inspector Bashir Lawal, Police Constable Hamza Mohammed and one Alhaji Nura before abducting the chairman, his wife, four children and four neighbours, while also carting away police service rifles . Police tactical teams launched an immediate rescue operation, successfully freeing the chairman's wife and four children . Efforts to rescue the chairman and the remaining victims are ongoing .
In Delta State, operatives disrupted a cult initiation ceremony in Orogun after members of the gang opened fire on the police . The suspects fled following an exchange of gunfire, abandoning a cache of weapons and other exhibits, including a pump-action gun, a locally modified double-barrel gun, live and expended cartridges, mobile phones, cult regalia and seven vehicles . Similarly, six kidnapped victims were rescued in Kogi State after gunmen attacked two vehicles travelling along the Kabba-Ayere Road . Police operatives recovered both vehicles involved in the attack, although three passengers were still missing as of the time of the report . The Force also highlighted several other notable successes recorded during the week. In Nasarawa State, four kidnapping victims were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families . In Sokoto State, suspected bandits were repelled during an attack on Ayawa village in Tangaza Local Government Area, with 11 rustled cattle recovered . In the Federal Capital Territory, police operatives foiled a kidnap attempt at Brain and Hammers Estate, Dei-Dei, forcing the armed suspects to flee into a nearby forest with gunshot wounds . In Ogun State, police successfully rescued an abducted victim in a separate operation .
The police said the successes were recorded through intelligence-led policing, enhanced inter-agency collaboration and precision tactical deployments . "The Nigeria Police Force, under the strategic leadership of the 23rd Indigenous Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, wishes to inform the general public of its sustained operational successes recorded across the country during the week under review," the statement read . According to the police, "through intelligence-led policing, enhanced inter-agency collaboration and precision tactical deployments, the Force recorded significant breakthroughs in the fight against violent crimes" . It added, "A total of 138 suspects were arrested for various offences including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and murder" . "The Force successfully rescued 23 kidnapped victims, recovered 31 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns, 99 rounds of assorted live ammunition and 20 vehicles. Additionally, six notorious criminals were neutralised during decisive engagements" . The police reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations against criminal elements and called on citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to support the fight against crime nationwide.
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