By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Nigeria Police Force has rescued nine kidnapped victims and recorded five deaths in a series of operations across several states, as security operatives intensified efforts to combat kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other violent crimes.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this on Satursday, in an operational update covering incidents recorded in Benue, Kwara, Sokoto, Enugu, Ekiti, Bauchi, Kaduna, Cross River and Nasarawa states between September 17 and 18, 2026.
Iniedu said the largest rescue operation occurred in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State, where police operatives rescued eight people abducted during an attack on a commercial bus.
According to him, the victims were rescued after intensive search and rescue operations in Omla Forest, Ankpechi Ogobia Community.
He said the rescued victims were evacuated for medical treatment, but one of them, identified as 34-year-old Uche Okike, later died from gunshot wounds sustained during the initial attack.
Iniedu said the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi had commenced investigation into the incident.
In Kwara State, Iniedu said police, working with military and vigilante personnel, rescued another kidnapped victim during a joint bush-combing operation in Idofin Aiyekale, Okero Local Government Area.
He said the operation followed an armed attack during a search for two persons who had entered the bush, leaving one person fatally injured while two others escaped unhurt.
The rescued victim, according to Iniedu, had escaped from his abductors before being found by the joint security team and subsequently reunited with his family.
In Sokoto State, Iniedu said two persons were fatally injured while two others sustained gunshot wounds when armed bandits attacked Bagayawa Village in Wamakko Local Government Area during Maulud celebrations.
He said the attackers, who were armed with sophisticated weapons, fired sporadically before rustling an unspecified number of domestic animals.
Iniedu said police tactical teams, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Vigilante Corps and Army personnel were mobilised to the area, with joint confidence-building patrols continuing to track down the perpetrators.
In Bauchi State, Iniedu said police arrested 22-year-old Audu Babangida following a farm-related altercation at Kafin Sarkin Yaki, Kirfi Local Government Area.
He said Haruna Bala, 25, sustained a fatal knife injury during the confrontation, while the knife allegedly used in the attack was recovered.
The Police spokesman also announced a series of arrests and weapons recoveries in other states.
In Enugu, Iniedu said operatives stormed the hideout of a wanted armed robbery suspect, Chukwujekwu Chukwuemeka, 38, and arrested him.
A cut-to-size pump-action gun and one round of live ammunition were recovered from the suspect, he said.
In Ekiti State, Iniedu said Rapid Response Squad operatives arrested Fasipe Ilesanmi Ezekiel, 25, after receiving information about suspected cultists allegedly armed with axes and other dangerous weapons and reportedly causing a disturbance in Ado-Ekiti.
He said one person sustained a deep cut injury in an alleged attempted murder, while two others were reportedly held hostage before police arrived.
In another operation in the state, Iniedu said police arrested Samson Jika, 30, following a report of threats to life arising from a debt-related dispute at Olumilua Camp, Ikere-Ekiti.
A locally made pistol was recovered from him, he said.
In Kaduna State, Iniedu said police arrested Usman Dankawu Lauwali, 25, in connection with an armed robbery at Rijana, Kachia Local Government Area.
He said the suspect reportedly confessed to participating in the robbery, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects and recover the stolen property.
In Cross River State, Iniedu said police tracked and arrested Ushie Joseph at his hideout following an alleged armed robbery at Effraya Village, Etung Local Government Area.
He said efforts were ongoing to recover a locally fabricated pistol allegedly used in the attack and the stolen money.
Meanwhile, in Nasarawa State, Iniedu said police detectives recovered a 2017 Toyota Corolla reportedly stolen during an armed robbery in Abuja.
He said the vehicle was tracked to New Nyanya, while investigators were using CCTV footage and other investigative leads to identify and arrest fleeing suspects.
Iniedu said the series of operations demonstrated the Force’s continued efforts to disrupt criminal activities through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with the military, vigilantes and other security stakeholders.
He said investigations remained ongoing in the affected states, with operatives pursuing fleeing suspects, recovering weapons and stolen property, and working to establish the circumstances surrounding the various incidents.
Overall, Iniedu said the operations resulted in nine kidnapped victims being rescued, while five people were reported dead in separate incidents involving the attacks and criminal activities recorded across the affected states.
