Police Rescue Two Kidnap Victims, Arrest 13 Suspects Across 10 States

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a series of operational successes across several states, including the rescue of two kidnapped victims, arrests in kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, defilement and rape cases, as well as the recovery of firearms and ammunition.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a state-by-state executive summary of the Police operational successes recorded between September 1 and 2, 2026.

In Ogun State, police tactical teams responding to intelligence on the presence of suspected kidnappers around Araromi Ake Irolu Village, via Ijesha-Ijebu, combed surrounding bushes and rescued two victims, Taiwo Ajako and Ogunji Wasiu, who had been abducted along their farm path.

One of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury and was evacuated for medical treatment. The operation also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, two jackets and a sachet of tramadol.

The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Abeokuta.

In Kano State, operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad arrested two suspects, Mu’azu Halliru and Sunusi Isiyaku, over the abduction of the APC Chairman of Rogo Local Government Area.

The Police said the suspects were arrested following intelligence-led operations, while efforts have been intensified to rescue the abducted chairman unharmed and apprehend other members of the syndicate who are still at large.

In Ekiti State, police operatives also arrested 26-year-old Azeez Kudus Okoro, identified as the account owner and beneficiary of funds transferred during an armed robbery in Ado-Ekiti.

According to the Force, “Following technical tracking analysis and execution of a banker’s order, Police operatives traced the account owner and beneficiary of funds transferred during an armed robbery in Ado-Ekiti.”

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Okoro was tracked to Ibadan, Oyo State, where he was arrested. The SCID in Ado-Ekiti is investigating the case.

In Ebonyi State, police operatives foiled an attack after responding to a distress call that about 15 armed hoodlums had invaded a shop at Ishieke Campus of Ebonyi State University.

The deployment forced the attackers to flee into a nearby bush, abandoning one locally made pistol, one round of 9mm ammunition and a machete. One suspect, 22-year-old Solomon Nnamdi, was arrested, while efforts continue to apprehend his fleeing accomplices.

In Benue State, police operatives on routine patrol intercepted an unnumbered Hijet pick-up van in Makurdi. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a locally fabricated English pistol, while the driver, Abdullahi Idris, was arrested and the vehicle impounded for further investigation.

The Police also reported arrests in separate homicide cases in Cross River, Sokoto and Enugu states.

In Cross River State, 16-year-old Ability Jeremiah Etefia was arrested over the fatal stabbing of a 20-year-old man during a minor altercation at Awi, Akamkpa Local Government Area.

The Force said the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, while the victim’s corpse was recovered and deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

In Sokoto State, 43-year-old Hadi Sani was arrested following the fatal stabbing of his brother during an altercation at Barkeji Village, Tambuwal LGA. The victim’s corpse was also recovered and deposited at a hospital mortuary for autopsy.

In Enugu State, police operatives arrested Eze Friday, owner of a farmland at Ohodo Community, Igbo-Etiti LGA, where the body of a 29-year-old man was discovered partially buried.

The case is being processed for transfer to the SCID, Enugu, for discreet investigation.

The Police further reported arrests in sexual offence cases in Ekiti and Ogun states.

In Igede-Ekiti, 45-year-old Adebayo Olalekan was arrested over the alleged defilement of an eight-year-old girl. The victim was taken to the General Hospital, Igede-Ekiti, for medical examination and treatment.

In Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, 20-year-old Ayomide Kamula was arrested over the alleged rape of a 19-year-old woman. A police medical form was issued to the victim for hospital examination, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend a fleeing accomplice.

In Bayelsa State, the Police rescued two foreign nationals who had reportedly drifted from São Tomé and Príncipe while fishing.

Following information from the Chairman of Ekeremor LGA, the Area Commander, Ekeremor, accompanied the council chairman by boat to Agge Community, where the two nationals were safely located and rescued.

They were subsequently received for onward conveyance to Yenagoa for medical evaluation and care.

The Police also disclosed that joint tactical teams from Rivers and Bayelsa Commands carried out a coordinated border clearance operation along the inter-state axis following directives from the Inspector-General of Police.

The operation covered bush pathways and strategic access routes around Igbogene, Okarki and Mbiama, which were cleared and searched to deny criminal elements potential hideouts.

According to the Force, “The operation was successfully concluded without any security breach, with the axis remaining calm under heightened surveillance.”

Meanwhile, in Anambra State, police operatives took over a 16-year-old suspect, Udochukwu Nwankwo, who had been apprehended by hotel security personnel following a reported armed robbery at a hotel in Amansea.

The Police said Nwankwo admitted using a pistol-shaped metallic lighter to rob unsuspecting citizens, with the firearm replica recovered from him. Efforts are ongoing to arrest his fleeing accomplices.

The Force said all the cases remain under investigation by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments, while operations are ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects and bring other members of criminal syndicates to justice.