Police Arrest 138 Suspects, Rescue 23 Kidnap Victims in One Week Nationwide Operations

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested 138 suspects for offences including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and murder during coordinated nationwide operations carried out between July 20 and July 26, 2026.
The Force also rescued 23 kidnapped victims, recovered 31 firearms, 99 rounds of assorted live ammunition and 20 vehicles, while six suspected criminals were killed during separate gun battles with operatives.
The achievements were disclosed in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, who attributed the successes to intelligence-led policing, enhanced inter-agency collaboration and precision tactical operations under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
According to the statement, one of the major breakthroughs was the dismantling of an interstate kidnapping syndicate operating in Imo and Lagos states. Operatives of the Imo State Police Command's Violent Crime Response Unit raided a kidnappers' hideout in Ogbaku, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, on July 22, rescuing a victim, Donatus Emehara, popularly known as "Ehara," unhurt.
During the operation, two suspected kidnappers, Chinedu Asonna and Chisom Iroche, were neutralised, while another suspect, Anyanwuocha Stanley, was arrested. Follow-up operations in Lagos led to the killing of three additional gang members identified as Ifeanyi, Kelechi Asonna and Chijioke, while the alleged kingpin, Chinonso Izuagu, 41, was apprehended.
In Ondo State, police intercepted an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz ML 350 and arrested three suspected members of an interstate armed robbery gang. Recovered from the suspects were an AK-47 rifle, a Beretta pistol, ammunition, a battle axe and an iron cutter. Investigators said the suspects confessed to carrying out robbery operations in Lagos and Ondo states.
The police also recorded progress in efforts to rescue the abducted Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar, following an attack on his residence by armed bandits on July 25.
The attackers reportedly killed Inspector Bashir Lawal, Police Constable Hamza Mohammed and one Alhaji Nura before abducting the council chairman, his wife, four children and four neighbours. Police tactical teams later rescued the chairman's wife and four children, while efforts to free the chairman and other victims are ongoing.
In Delta State, operatives disrupted a suspected cult initiation ceremony in Orogun after armed cultists opened fire on them. The suspects fled after a gun battle, abandoning firearms, ammunition, cult regalia, mobile phones and seven vehicles.
In Kogi State, police rescued six kidnapped victims after gunmen attacked two vehicles along the Kabba-Ayere Road. The affected vehicles were recovered, although three passengers were still missing at the time of the report.
Other operations recorded during the week included the rescue of four kidnap victims in Nasarawa State, the recovery of 11 rustled cows in Sokoto State, the foiling of a kidnap attempt at Brain and Hammers Estate in the Federal Capital Territory, and the rescue of an abducted engineer, Sola Aboyeji, in Ogun State.
The Force also disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police paid an operational visit to Benue State on July 23 to assess the security situation and strengthen the operational readiness of the state command.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, the Nigeria Police Force urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing efforts to combat crime across the country.
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