The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a series of operational successes across 14 incidents in several states, including the foiling of bandits’ attacks, rescue of kidnapped and unlawfully detained victims, arrests of suspected criminals and recovery of firearms, ammunition and other exhibits.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the Police said its tactical teams and other operational units recorded the successes between September 29 and October 2, 2026.
In Sokoto State, police tactical teams, Anti-Kidnapping Unit and VCRU operatives repelled an attack by armed bandits at Tsabre Village on October 2, forcing the attackers to flee into the forest. A follow-up bush-combing operation led to the recovery of two rocket launchers, two empty AK-47 magazines, a mobile phone, torchlight, army jungle hat, sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket. No casualty was recorded.
Also in Sokoto, police and Army personnel restored normalcy following a communal clash between two communities in Goronyo Local Government Area on October 1.
In Taraba State, sustained police operations led to the rescue of three of five kidnapped victims on October 2. The victims were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.
In Oyo State, police operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a criminal hideout in Sabo, Ibadan, where three suspected armed robbers were arrested. An iPhone 7 Plus belonging to a deceased robbery victim was recovered, while the suspects were identified during an identification parade and subsequently confessed to the crime.
In Akwa Ibom State, three suspects were arrested during a raid on a criminal hideout at Itiam Etoi Village, Uyo, with large quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa and other illicit drugs recovered. Another suspect was arrested during stop-and-search operations with a long single-barrel gun, machete and a bag of gunpowder.
Ogun State also recorded multiple successes, including the arrest of three suspected cult members at Agbado and the recovery of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, an axe, laptops, soap and drug pipes. In a separate operation, nine kidnapped travellers were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families.
In Cross River State, police arrested a suspect following a reported threat to life and recovered a locally fabricated single-barrel long gun and two live cartridges. In another operation in the state, two victims of unlawful detention were rescued and taken to the Police Hospital for medical attention.
Benue State recorded an encounter with armed bandits along Amaafu-Abaji Road, where personnel of Operation Zenda JTF responded to an ambush. One bandit was neutralised, others fled, and a locally fabricated firearm was recovered. No police personnel was killed.
In Ebonyi State, police arrested a suspected criminal at a hideout in Ezenmahi Village, Onicha Local Government Area, recovering a locally made single-barrel short gun.
Enugu State police detectives arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a 16-year-old boy. The victim’s corpse, an alleged murder weapon—a stick—and the motorcycle belonging to the deceased were recovered.
In Ekiti State, detectives arrested a suspect over the death of a staff member of a microfinance bank. The corpse was evacuated to a hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
Ogun State also reported the arrest of suspects following an assault on police officers during a surveillance operation on September 29. Two vehicles allegedly involved in the incident were recovered and impounded.
Meanwhile, in Katsina State, police tactical teams engaged and repelled armed bandits who attacked motorists along the Funtua–Zaria Road on October 1, restoring normal traffic flow along the route.
The Force said the various cases remain under investigation by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments in Sokoto, Jalingo, Ibadan, Uyo, Abeokuta, Calabar, Makurdi, Abakaliki, Enugu, Ado-Ekiti and Katsina.
