The Nigeria Police Force has announced a series of successful operations across several states within the last 24 hours, ranging from the rescue of abducted children to the arrest of armed robbery and cult suspects, alongside the recovery of weapons and stolen property.
The operations formed part of the Force’s sustained efforts to curb violent crime, dismantle criminal networks and enhance public safety across the country through intelligence-driven policing and coordinated security interventions.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Okokon Inedu, disclosed the achievements on Wednesday, highlighting coordinated operations by police operatives in Bauchi, Gombe, Ondo, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom states.
According to him, the operations resulted in the rescue of two abducted children, the arrest of 15 suspects linked to offences including armed robbery, cultism, housebreaking and attempted abduction, as well as the recovery of a stolen Toyota Yaris, two locally made firearms, eight motorcycles, one tricycle, housebreaking tools and suspected illicit substances. He added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects connected with the various crimes.
In Bauchi State, police operatives rescued two four-year-old children, Nathaniel Daniel and Fatima Abdullahi, from an attempted abduction. The children were rescued unharmed and reunited with their parents, while the suspect, Bala Saidu Mohammed, was arrested.
In Gombe State, operatives arrested three suspects in separate operations. Micah Nuhu was arrested for alleged armed robbery and causing grievous hurt, with a stolen purse recovered from him. In another operation, Nasiru Aminu and Jamiu Muhammad were apprehended with 39 master keys and a screwdriver suspected to have been used for housebreaking.
The command also recovered a Toyota Yaris after its owner, Sani Ahmed, was allegedly stabbed and thrown out of the vehicle by passengers.
The victim was taken to hospital for treatment, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.
In Ondo State, operatives of the Police Vehicle Crime Recovery Unit (VCRU) arrested five suspects, including two suspected cultists identified as Sunday Monday and Samuel Omosaye, who were linked to an earlier firearm recovery.
Three others—Joseph Roseline, Abayomi Osuntuyi and Ayo Olawunmi—were arrested during a raid on a criminal hideout, where suspected Indian hemp and substances suspected to be “colos” were recovered.
Police also identified an alleged cult kingpin, Sodiq Ramon, and the group’s armourer, Damilare Osuntuyi, who are currently being tracked for arrest.
In Enugu State, operatives arrested two suspected cultists, Ogbodo Chebe and Oguma Onyebuchi, during an operation at Banana Estate. Eight motorcycles, one tricycle and 11 sachets of substances suspected to be “colos” were recovered after other suspected cult members fled the scene.
In Imo State, police operatives, working alongside the military and local vigilantes, arrested Onyegbulam Luckyboy during an operation at Works Layout, Owerri, following reports of an ongoing armed robbery. A locally fabricated pistol and one expended cartridge were recovered, while efforts are ongoing to arrest an accomplice identified as Chijioke.
Similarly, operatives of the VCRU in Ebonyi State arrested a suspected armed robber, Emeka Oke, along the Ezza North axis following credible intelligence. A locally made double-barrel pistol and one live cartridge were recovered, while investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.
In Akwa Ibom State, police rearrested a robbery suspect who allegedly attacked Blessing Essien Uduak with a dagger after he was initially apprehended by residents. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang who fled the scene.
The Police assured Nigerians of its continued commitment to protecting lives and property, noting that intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency collaboration would be sustained to combat criminal activities and strengthen public safety nationwide.