Jane Salihu
Police operations across several states have resulted in the rescue of kidnapped and unlawfully detained victims, arrests of suspected criminals and recovery of firearms, ammunition and other exhibits in a series of operations recorded between September 29 and October 2, 2026.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a state-by-state executive summary of police operational successes issued on Saturday, October 3, 2026, noting that the operations covered incidents in 14 cases across Sokoto, Taraba, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Cross River, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ekiti and Katsina states.
In Sokoto State, police tactical teams, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and VCRU operatives repelled an attack by armed bandits at Tsabre Village on October 2. A follow-up bush combing operation led to the recovery of two rocket launchers, two empty AK-47 magazines and other items, including a mobile phone, sandals and clothing.
In Taraba, three of five kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed following sustained operational pressure by police teams and subsequently reunited with their families.
The Police also reported the arrest of three suspected armed robbers during a raid on a criminal hideout in Sabo, Ibadan, Oyo State. An iPhone 7 Plus belonging to a deceased robbery victim was recovered, while the suspects were reportedly identified during an identification parade.
In Akwa Ibom, three suspects were arrested at a suspected criminal hideout in Itiam Etoi Village, Uyo, where substances suspected to be cannabis sativa and other illicit drugs were recovered. Another suspect was arrested during a stop-and-search operation with a locally made long single-barrel gun, machete and a bag of gunpowder.
Ogun State recorded both arrests and rescue operations, with three suspected cult members arrested at Agbado and various exhibits recovered. In a separate operation, nine kidnapped travellers were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families after debriefing.
Meanwhile, police detectives in Cross River arrested a suspect following a reported threat to life and recovered a locally fabricated single-barrel gun and two live cartridges. In another operation in the state, two victims of alleged unlawful detention were rescued and taken to the Police Hospital for medical attention.
In Benue State, personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force responded to an ambush by armed bandits along the Amaafu-Abaji Road. One bandit was neutralised while others fled, with one locally fabricated firearm recovered. The Police said no personnel was killed in the encounter.
Other operations included the arrest of a suspected criminal in Ebonyi State and recovery of a locally made firearm; the arrest of a suspect in connection with the murder of a 16-year-old boy in Enugu, alongside recovery of the victim’s corpse, a stick allegedly used in the crime and his motorcycle.
In Ekiti State, a suspect was arrested over the death of a staff member of a microfinance bank, while the corpse was evacuated to a hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The Police also reported the arrest of suspects and recovery of two vehicles following an assault on police officers during a surveillance operation in Ogun State on September 29.
In Katsina, police tactical teams repelled an attack by armed bandits along the Funtua-Zaria Road and restored normal traffic flow, while in Sokoto, police and Army personnel intervened in a communal clash between two communities in Goronyo Local Government Area and restored normalcy.
The Force said the various cases remained under investigation by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments in the affected states.
