- The Nigeria Police Force arrested 138 suspects for various violent offenses, rescued 23 kidnapped victims, and neutralized six notorious criminals during nationwide operations conducted between July 20 and July 26.
- Security operatives recovered 31 firearms, including AK-47 assault rifles and pump-action guns, alongside 99 rounds of live ammunition and 20 stolen vehicles.
- The operational breakthroughs were executed under the leadership of the 23rd Indigenous Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, utilizing intelligence-led strategy and multi-state tactical coordination.
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded significant operational achievements across multiple states, arresting 138 suspects involved in grave criminal activities including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and murder.
Eko Hot Blog reports that disclosing the development in an official statement released on Saturday, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, detailed that tactical deployments and sustained inter-agency collaboration between July 20 and July 26 led to the rescue of 23 abducted individuals, the neutralisation of six dangerous criminals during armed confrontations, and the recovery of 31 firearms, 99 rounds of live ammunition, and 20 vehicles.
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Among the most prominent achievements was the dismantling of an interstate kidnapping syndicate operating across Imo and Lagos states.
On July 22, operatives of the Imo State Police Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit raided a kidnappers’ hideout in Ogbaku, located within the Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
The raid resulted in the unhurt rescue of Donatus Emehara, popularly known as “Ehara”. During the tactical engagement, two syndicate members, Chinedu Asonna and Chisom Iroche, were neutralized, while another suspect, Anyanwuocha Stanley, was apprehended.
Subsequent follow-up operations extended into Lagos State, where police operatives neutralized three additional gang members, identified as Ifeanyi, Kelechi Asonna, and Chijioke, and arrested the alleged kingpin, 41-year-old Chinonso Izuagu.
In Ondo State, police teams intercepted an interstate armed robbery gang, arresting three suspects and recovering a cache of weapons, including an AK-47 rifle and a Beretta pistol.
The suspects confessed to using the weaponry to execute armed robberies and destabilize communities across both Ondo and Lagos states.
Tactical teams also responded swiftly in Zamfara State following a violent bandit attack on July 25 targeting the residence of Nura Umar, Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area.
Although the attack tragically claimed the lives of Inspector Bashir Lawal, Police Constable Hamza Mohammed, and a civilian, Alhaji Nura, police units mobilized immediately to track the assailants into the bush.
The rapid response resulted in the successful rescue of the local government chairman’s wife and four children, while active search operations remain underway to secure the release of the council chairman and four abducted neighbors.
Further operational highlights across the country include:
Delta State: Operatives disrupted an active cult initiation ceremony in Orogun, engaging fleeing suspects under gunfire and recovering a pump-action gun, a cut-to-size double-barrel gun, 19 cartridges, cult paraphernalia, and seven abandoned vehicles.
Kogi State: Tactical units rescued six travelers following an ambush along the Kabba-Ayere Road on July 22, preventing further abductions while maintaining active pursuit of missing passengers.
Nasarawa State: Four individuals kidnapped near Ever Green in Ombi 1 were safely rescued unhurt and reunited with their families following medical debriefings.
Sokoto State: Police repelled an attack by armed bandits in Ayawa village, Tangaza Local Government Area, successfully recovering 11 rustled cattle and returning them to local owners.
Federal Capital Territory: Police teams foiled an attempted invasion at Brain and Hammers Estate in Dei-Dei, forcing armed perpetrators to retreat into surrounding forests with gunshot wounds.
Ogun State: Sustained bush-combing operations by local police secured the freedom of abducted victim Sola Aboyeji within 24 hours of his capture.
Reaffirming its dedication to safeguarding lives and property nationwide, the Nigeria Police Force reiterated its determination to dismantle criminal infrastructure and urged citizens to continuously support security agencies with timely, actionable intelligence.
