Jane Salihu
The Nigeria Police Force has rescued two kidnapping victims in Kano State, neutralised two suspected abductors and recovered a ₦10 million ransom, as part of a series of operations that also led to arrests and weapons recoveries across nine other states
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement summarising police operational successes recorded on October 17, 2026, noting that the operations resulted in the rescue of victims, arrests of suspected criminals and recovery of firearms, ammunition, stolen property and suspected illicit drugs.
According to the statement, the Kano operation involved police operatives and local hunters who launched a tactical ambush against suspected kidnappers after the collection of the ransom.
The two victims were rescued unharmed, while two suspected abductors were neutralised and the ransom recovered intact. Another suspect reportedly escaped with injuries.
In Adamawa State, police operatives and local hunters arrested three suspected kidnappers during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area, recovering two AK-47 rifles and 45 rounds of live ammunition.
In Imo State, a suspected kingpin linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), was arrested alongside three other suspects over alleged attacks on vigilantes and kidnapping incidents in Oru-West Local Government Area.
Police recovered an AK-47 rifle, 21 rounds of ammunition, mobile phones and charms during the operation. Information obtained from the suspects, the statement added, had prompted further operations to rescue kidnapped victims and apprehend other suspects.
Delta State recorded multiple operations, including the arrest of suspected cultists and armed robbery suspects.
In Ughelli South Local Government Area, three suspected members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity were arrested, with two locally made pistols, cartridges, cult regalia and charms recovered. Another 10 suspected cultists were arrested during a separate operation in Jeddo Community.
In another operation, police arrested a suspect allegedly attempting to dispose of a Mercedes-Benz ML350 SUV stolen during an armed robbery in Edo State. The vehicle was recovered, and efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.
Police also arrested another suspected armed robber in Ughelli North Local Government Area and recovered a locally made firearm and live ammunition. In Ika South Local Government Area, four suspects were arrested during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout, where a pump-action gun, laptop, six mobile phones and camouflage clothing were recovered.
In Enugu State, a suspected drug peddler was arrested during a raid on his residence. Police recovered a locally made firearm, expended cartridges, substances suspected to be cannabis, Tramadol and other suspected drugs, alongside charms.
Similarly, three suspects were arrested in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout. A Tecno Android phone suspected to have been stolen and quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered.
In Nasarawa State, police arrested a suspect following a petition alleging unlawful possession of firearms. A search conducted at New Nyanya led to the recovery of a locally made pistol, while efforts continued to arrest another suspect and recover ammunition.
The police said the cases were under investigation by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments in Kano, Yola, Owerri, Asaba, Enugu, Uyo and Lafia.
The operations highlight the continued use of intelligence-led raids and collaboration with local hunters and community volunteers in efforts to tackle kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related violence and drug trafficking across the country.
