The Nigeria Police Force has recorded significant operational successes across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rescuing five kidnap victims, arresting 14 suspects, recovering four firearms, 350 rounds of ammunition and three stolen vehicles in coordinated operations carried out on July 8.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer’s daily situation report submitted to the Inspector-General of Police, operatives also neutralised three armed suspects during separate operations aimed at tackling kidnapping, banditry, homicide and other violent crimes.
In Bauchi State, a joint security team rescued three kidnapped victims around the Yankari Game Reserve, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing kidnappers.
In Benue State, police arrested the principal suspect in the killing of Professor Gabriel Saawua Nyityo and his son at an NDLEA checkpoint. Operatives also neutralised a suspected bandit in Logo Local Government Area and recovered ammunition, a motorcycle and charms, while the search for a female abductee in Katsina-Ala continues.
A kidnapped woman was rescued unconscious in Delta State and taken to hospital for treatment.
In Edo State, security operatives launched a bush-combing operation following the abduction of a cattle dealer. Police also arrested an official of the Edo State Security Corps over alleged cultism and recovered a pump-action gun.
The FCT Police Command recovered two stolen vehicles and arrested two suspects linked to vehicle theft, including the recovery of a stolen Toyota RAV4 on the same day it was reported missing.
In Gombe State, four suspects were arrested over the alleged murder of a man during a land dispute enforcement exercise.
Police operatives in Imo State recovered 346 rounds of assorted ammunition and seven magazines during a raid on a swamp hideout. They also foiled an assassination attempt, arresting four suspects and recovering two locally made pistols with ammunition.
In Jigawa State, gunmen attacked a Fulani settlement, killing one man and abducting his wife. Security operatives have commenced a forest search operation to rescue the victim and arrest the perpetrators.
In Nasarawa State, police recovered a pistol linked to a homicide investigation and rescued one of three kidnapped university students, while efforts are ongoing to free the remaining two victims.
A suspected mentally unstable man was arrested in Niger State over a homicide that left one person dead and two others injured.
In Ogun State, police arrested a 60-year-old Imam for allegedly defiling a 15-year-old girl and attempting to terminate the resulting pregnancy.
Two suspected kidnappers were killed during a foiled attack in Ondo State, while police recovered a pistol, a live cartridge and other exhibits.
In Sokoto State, four suspected cattle rustlers were arrested and two stolen sheep recovered, leading to further recovery efforts. The state also recorded a separate bandit attack that claimed one life, left another person injured and resulted in the theft of a motorcycle, with security operatives pursuing the attackers.
Meanwhile, in Plateau State, police arrested a suspect allegedly found with a locally fabricated pistol and knife at a health centre, where his presence had caused panic among residents.
The report indicated that kidnapping remained the most prevalent serious crime during the reporting period, with eight incidents recorded nationwide, followed by six homicide cases, one banditry incident, one cultism case and one gender-based violence case. No cases of armed robbery or terrorism were recorded.
The Force Public Relations Officer noted that ongoing joint operations involving police, local hunters and vigilante groups have continued to produce positive results, while recommending enhanced intelligence sharing, stronger inter-agency collaboration, rapid response mechanisms and increased community engagement to sustain the gains against criminal activities across the country.