Police Rescue 12 Kidnap Victims, Arrest 15 Suspects in Nationwide Crackdown

The Nigeria Police Force says its operatives rescued 12 kidnapped victims, arrested 15 suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles and other exhibits during coordinated operations conducted across 11 states within the last 24 hours.

According to a police operational report released on Monday, the intelligence-led operations targeted kidnapping, armed robbery, vandalism, criminal impersonation and other violent crimes.

In Niger State, tactical operatives working alongside local vigilantes engaged suspected bandits in a gun battle at Mangoro Village in Mariga Local Government Area, successfully rescuing 11 kidnapped victims unharmed. The victims were later reunited with their families.

In a separate operation in Agaie Local Government Area, detectives arrested a suspect in connection with a fatal land dispute.

In Oyo State, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad rescued a five-year-old child who had been abducted after deploying technology-driven investigative tools.

Police arrested two suspects, who allegedly confessed to demanding a ₦10 million ransom from the victim's family, of which ₦1 million had already been paid before the rescue.

Also in Oyo, officers on stop-and-search duty in Ibadan arrested another suspect and recovered a locally made pistol, one live cartridge and suspected illicit drugs.

In Edo State, detectives arrested three suspects linked to the vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure in Benin City. Investigations also led to the recovery of a Toyota Yaris vehicle and 12 heavy-duty batteries believed to have been stolen.

In Kano State, police operatives acting on intelligence arrested a suspect accused of impersonating military personnel.

Recovered from the suspect were an AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, an additional 29 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, military uniforms, desert boots, suspected fake military identity cards and other military-related items.

In the Federal Capital Territory, police arrested a suspect during an intelligence-led operation in Gwagwalada and recovered a locally fabricated firearm.

Meanwhile, in Gombe State, officers intercepted a vehicle transporting two suspected stolen cows, leading to the arrest of two suspects. The vehicle was recovered, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend another suspect who fled the scene.

In Ogun State, detectives arrested four suspects in separate cases involving alleged defilement, criminal impersonation and assault. Police also recovered military uniforms allegedly used in the impersonation.

The Force added that tactical teams were also deployed to respond to violent incidents in Plateau, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, Benue and Bauchi states, where they evacuated casualties, restored public order and commenced investigations to apprehend those responsible.

The police said the nationwide operations resulted in the rescue of 12 kidnapped victims, the arrest of 15 suspects and the recovery of two firearms, 60 rounds of ammunition and two vehicles.

The Force said investigations are continuing to track down fleeing suspects and ensure that those involved in the crimes are brought to justice.