By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Nigeria Police Force has reported the arrest of 76 suspects in separate operations across several states and the Federal Capital Territory, with firearms, ammunition, suspected stolen property and illicit drugs recovered.
The Force also reported the rescue of an abducted victim in Ebonyi State and the recovery of a three-year-old girl allegedly stolen at birth in Delta State.
The operational successes were contained in the Force’s state-by-state executive summary for Friday, September 11, 2026, signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.
Iniedu said the operations targeted suspected armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists, drug-related offenders and other criminal suspects in different parts of the country.
In Jigawa State, he said police operatives responding to an armed robbery attack in Hadejia on September 10 engaged the suspects in a gun duel.
According to him, one suspected armed robber was neutralised during the encounter, while other suspects reportedly fled with gunshot wounds.
He said operatives recovered two Android phones, two power banks and a pair of shoes, adding that the State Criminal Investigation Department, Dutse, was investigating the incident.
In Lagos State, Iniedu said police tactical operatives, acting on credible intelligence, arrested the alleged ring leader of an armed robbery syndicate and four other members.
He said three locally made pistols, five unexpended cartridges and 300 rounds of 9mm live ammunition were recovered during the operation. The case is being investigated by the SCID, Panti.
In Ebonyi State, police operatives rescued Reverend Ede Sunday John Tobechukwu, who was allegedly abducted by armed men.
Iniedu said the police immediately mobilised after the abduction and trailed the fleeing assailants. He said the sustained pursuit forced the abductors to abandon the victim, who was rescued unharmed.
The victim’s Toyota Avalon vehicle was also recovered, according to the police spokesperson.
In Delta State, Iniedu said police recovered a three-year-old female child who was allegedly stolen at birth in 2023.
He said the recovery followed a petition and sustained investigation by the police, which also led to the arrest of Mr and Mrs Solomon Igbiaye in connection with the alleged offence.
In another operation in Delta, police arrested a suspected cultist and alleged criminal shrine operator involved in firearms dealings. Iniedu said operatives recovered a pump-action gun, four dagger knives, a battle axe and substances suspected to be charms.
In Akwa Ibom State, six suspected armed robbery suspects were arrested between September 5 and 9.
According to Iniedu, police operatives initially intercepted three suspected members of an armed robbery gang and subsequently arrested three other alleged members.
The police recovered two locally made pistols, two live cartridges, three expended cartridges and six serviceable motorcycles suspected to have been stolen.
In Plateau State, three suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly terrorising Pankshin Local Government Area and its environs were arrested following what Iniedu described as credible intelligence.
He said operatives recovered a Browning pistol, 11 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a machete and assorted charms.
In the Federal Capital Territory, police operatives from the Maitama, Wuse, Utako and Durumi divisions conducted coordinated raids on identified black spots and uncompleted buildings.
Iniedu said the operations resulted in the arrest of 54 suspects, while dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and other illicit drugs were recovered.
In Zamfara State, five suspects were arrested after police operatives raided a suspected criminal hideout following credible intelligence.
The police spokesperson said operatives recovered 70 bags of cement, seven bundles of 12mm iron rods and two empty drums, which were suspected to be property of the Ekiti State Airport. The matter is being investigated by the SCID, Ado-Ekiti.
In Anambra State, two suspected kidnapping suspects were arrested following an investigation into the alleged kidnapping of two persons and theft of a Toyota Highlander.
Iniedu identified one of the suspects as Victor Onwuka, alias Bugatti, who he said confessed to the crime. Acting on information allegedly obtained from him, operatives arrested Madukaife Chidebere Kenechukwu, whom police identified as a receiver of stolen phones linked to the syndicate.
Iniedu said investigations into the various cases were ongoing at the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments and the CID in Abuja.
The reported operations resulted in 76 arrests across the listed locations, while police also reported the neutralisation of one suspected armed robber in Jigawa.
The Force said the operations formed part of its continuing efforts to disrupt criminal activities, recover illegal weapons and stolen property, and bring suspects before the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
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