Police Arrest Suspected Bandits, Kidnappers Across Nigeria

The Nigeria Police Force has reported the neutralisation of seven suspected bandits and kidnappers, alongside the arrest of 29 suspects and the recovery of several firearms, ammunition, stolen motorcycles and illicit drugs across 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in an operational success report posted on the Nigeria Police Force’s X page on Monday, August 17, 2026.

According to the report, police tactical teams in Sokoto State foiled an attempted bandit attack on Dankadu Village in Illela Local Government Area on August 15, forcing the attackers to flee into the forest.

Clearance operations subsequently led to the “neutralization of two suspected bandits,” while two AK-47 rifles, two magazines and 54 rounds of live ammunition were recovered. The police said no casualties were recorded among the security personnel or villagers.

In Imo State, two suspected kidnappers were also neutralised during a gun duel after police operatives located a kidnappers’ hideout in a forest between Amakohia Ubi and Okuku.

The operation, which followed intelligence on the abduction of two persons, resulted in the rescue of both victims unharmed. Police said other suspects escaped with suspected gunshot injuries.

Recovered items included a locally made single-barrel gun, an empty AK-47 magazine, a machete, a dagger, a mobile phone, three National Identity Cards and four ATM cards.

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In Benue State, one suspected bandit was neutralised after police operatives conducting search and rescue operations along the Otukpo-Adoka Road came under attack in Amla Icho Forest, Otukpo LGA.

The police said an AK-47 rifle with breech number 7969 and three rounds of live ammunition were recovered after the ensuing gun duel.

In Katsina State, police tactical teams repelled an attack by armed bandits at Ilallah Village in Dandume LGA. The operatives engaged the attackers in a gunfight and forced them to flee into the bush with suspected gunshot injuries.

The police also recorded a series of arrests and recoveries in other parts of the country.

In Delta State, 18 male suspects were arrested following a murder in Agbarho, while large quantities of suspected illicit drugs, including tramadol and codeine, were recovered from a suspected criminal hideout.

In Nasarawa State, several suspects were arrested in connection with an armed robbery involving a motorcycle along Ambana Road, Lafia. Police recovered two stolen Bajaj motorcycles, four number plates, two riders’ vests and a club allegedly used during the robbery.

In Oyo State, a suspected member of a criminal syndicate was arrested at Soka, Ibadan. One locally fabricated pistol, one long single-barrel gun, nine rounds of 9mm live ammunition and nine live cartridges were recovered.

Also in Sokoto State, three suspected members of a motorcycle theft syndicate were arrested following raids on suspected hideouts in the Kwannawa and Tamaje areas of Sokoto metropolis. Five stolen motorcycles and one fabricated pistol were recovered.

In Enugu State, three suspected drug dealers were arrested after police operatives raided a suspected criminal black spot in Ogui. Recovered exhibits included 158 sachets of suspected cannabis, 136 sachets of suspected “Colos”, 136 sachets of suspected crystal methamphetamine, three small cups of suspected cannabis, an electronic pocket scale, scissors, a wristwatch and ₦22,400 cash.

In another operation in Delta State, police officers on routine visibility patrol along GRA, Ughelli, intercepted a motorcycle carrying suspicious persons. The occupants fled into the bush, abandoning a crossbody bag containing a locally made cut-to-size firearm, three mobile phones, a National Identity Card, two ATM cards, a lighter and a jeans jacket.

In Gombe State, a suspect was arrested at BCJ Quarters, Gombe, with a locally fabricated rifle.

Police in Kano State also arrested a suspect following a shooting incident at a wedding event in Tudun Yola Bajallabe. The firearm allegedly used in the incident was recovered.

In another operation in Delta State, police recovered a locally made single-barrel gun allegedly linked to a reported murder in Agbarho after raiding the residence of a suspect connected to the incident.

In Ogun State, two suspects were arrested after police received information about a person allegedly found in possession of live rifle ammunition. The first suspect reportedly disclosed the source of the ammunition, leading to the arrest of another suspect, while the ammunition was recovered as an exhibit.

In the FCT, three suspects were arrested following a reported fatal incident at Rockville Estate, Dawaki.

The Nigeria Police Force said the cases are being investigated by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments (SCIDs) in Sokoto, Owerri, Makurdi, Katsina, Asaba, Lafia, Ibadan, Enugu, Gombe, Kano, Abeokuta and Abuja.

The operational update covers police activities recorded between August 14 and 16, 2026, and was released by CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force.