The Nigeria Police Force says it arrested 199 suspects linked to terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, murder and cult-related offences in operations carried out across the country in May 2026.
A breakdown of the arrests shows that eight suspected terrorists, 55 suspected kidnappers, 65 armed robbery suspects, 29 murder suspects and 42 suspected cultists were apprehended during the period.
The operations also led to the rescue of 88 kidnapped victims, while 114 firearms, 843 rounds of ammunition and 28 stolen vehicles were recovered.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, disclosed the figures during the monthly conference with strategic senior officers of the Force held at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday.
The conference brought together Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and other senior officers to review the nation’s security situation and assess ongoing policing strategies.
Addressing the officers, the IGP noted that the operational gains reflect the commitment of the Force to tackling violent crimes and other security threats across the country through intelligence-led and proactive policing.
He, however, observed that Nigeria continues to face a complex security environment characterised by kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related violence, terrorism, banditry, farmer-herder clashes and cyber-enabled crimes.
Disu charged senior officers to strengthen leadership at their various commands and ensure improved coordination among tactical and conventional units to effectively respond to emerging threats.
He stressed the need for officers to remain proactive, intelligence-driven and adaptive, noting that criminals are constantly changing their methods and that policing strategies must evolve to stay ahead.
The IGP further assured Nigerians that the Force would continue to intensify operations across the country and sustain ongoing efforts aimed at protecting lives and property while maintaining law and order.