The Nigeria Police Force rescued 12 kidnap victims, arrested 15 suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles and other exhibits in coordinated raids across 11 states over the last 24 hours, the Force said Monday.
A police situation report said the operations targeted kidnapping, armed robbery, vandalism, impersonation and other crimes.
In Niger State, tactical teams and local vigilantes engaged suspected bandits in a gun battle at Mangoro Village, Mariga Local Government Area, rescuing 11 victims unharmed. They have since been reunited with their families. In Agaie LGA, detectives separately arrested a suspect linked to a fatal land dispute.
In Oyo State, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad rescued a five-year-old abducted child following a technology-driven investigation. Two suspects were arrested and allegedly confessed to demanding a ₦10 million ransom, ₦1 million of which had already been paid. In a separate stop-and-search in Ibadan, officers arrested another suspect and recovered a locally made pistol, a live cartridge and suspected illicit drugs.
In Edo State, police arrested three suspects over the vandalism of telecom infrastructure in Benin City. The probe also led to the recovery of a Toyota Yaris and 12 heavy-duty batteries stolen in an earlier operation.
In Kano State, a suspect accused of impersonating military personnel was arrested on intelligence. Items recovered from him included an AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds, an additional 29 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, military uniforms, desert boots and suspected fake military ID cards.
In the FCT, police arrested a suspect in Gwagwalada during an intelligence-led operation and recovered a locally fabricated firearm.
In Gombe State, two suspects were arrested after police intercepted a vehicle transporting two suspected stolen cows; the vehicle was recovered, and a search is underway for a third suspect who fled.
In Ogun State, detectives arrested four suspects in separate cases involving alleged defilement, criminal impersonation and assault, recovering military uniforms allegedly used in the impersonation scheme.
Police said tactical teams were also deployed to violent incidents in Plateau, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, Benue and Bauchi states, where they evacuated casualties, restored order and opened investigations.
Overall, the Force said the 24-hour operations led to the rescue of 12 kidnap victims, the arrest of 15 suspects, and the recovery of two firearms, 60 rounds of ammunition and two vehicles. Investigations continue to track down fleeing suspects for prosecution.
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