The Nigeria Police Force has rescued 12 kidnapped victims and arrested 15 suspected criminals during coordinated operations carried out across 11 states in the last 24 hours.
The operations, which targeted crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery, vandalism, impersonation and other offences, also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles and other incriminating items.
In Niger State, police tactical teams, working alongside local vigilantes, engaged suspected bandits in a gunfight at Mangoro Village in Mariga Local Government Area. Eleven kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed and later reunited with their families.
In a separate operation within Agaie Local Government Area, detectives arrested a suspect linked to a fatal land dispute.
In Oyo State, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad successfully rescued a five-year-old child who had been abducted after conducting a technology-driven investigation. Two suspects were arrested and reportedly confessed to demanding a ₦10 million ransom, with ₦1 million already collected before their arrest.
Also in Ibadan, officers conducting stop-and-search operations arrested another suspect and recovered a locally made pistol, a live cartridge and suspected illicit drugs.
In Edo State, police apprehended three suspects allegedly involved in the vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure in Benin City. Investigators also recovered a Toyota Yaris vehicle and 12 heavy-duty batteries believed to have been stolen during an earlier operation.
In Kano State, intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of a suspect accused of impersonating military personnel. Recovered from him 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.
Similarly, police operatives in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) arrested a suspect in Gwagwalada during an intelligence-based operation and recovered a locally fabricated firearm.
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 escaped.
In Ogun State, detectives arrested four suspects in separate cases involving alleged defilement, criminal impersonation and assault. Police also recovered military uniforms allegedly used by one of the suspects for impersonation.
The Force also disclosed that tactical teams responded to violent incidents in Plateau, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, Benue and Bauchi states, where officers evacuated casualties, restored normalcy and launched investigations to identify and apprehend those responsible.
According to the police, the nationwide operations resulted in the rescue of 12 kidnap victims, the arrest of 15 suspects, and the recovery of two firearms, 60 rounds of ammunition and two vehicles.
The Force added that investigations are ongoing to track down fleeing suspects and ensure all those involved are brought to justice.
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