ABUJA, August 31, 2026 — The Inspector-General of Police is recording fresh operational wins as officers across fifteen states rescued kidnap victims, neutralized armed bandits and kidnappers, and recovered firearms, ammunition and other criminal exhibits in coordinated raids carried out between August 27 and 31, 2026.
The disclosures were contained in a state-by-state executive summary released by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, detailing operations carried out by police tactical units, mobile force personnel, vigilante groups and, in some instances, the military.
KIDNAP VICTIMS RESCUED IN COORDINATED RAIDS
In Ogun State, operatives combed forested areas around Eleweran to rescue kidnap victim Usman Umar unhurt, before storming the kidnappers’ hideout in a gun duel that left two suspects neutralized. Two AK-47 rifles, twenty-five rounds of ammunition and two mobile phones were recovered from the scene.
A similar rescue unfolded in Taraba State, where personnel of the 67 Provost Mobile Force (PMF) Takum, working alongside Highway Patrol teams and the Divisional Police Officer, rescued 55-year-old Alidoo Cecilia Ityo and her young granddaughter, who had been abandoned by their captors. A red Toyota Corolla bearing registration number JMT-680-XA, left behind by the kidnappers, was also recovered.
In Plateau State, a joint team of Mobile Force personnel, the Vigilante and Community Relations Unit (VCRU), and local hunters rescued Pastor Dipat Gabriel Joseph, who had been abducted in Bokkos, unharmed. Search operations are continuing to track down the perpetrators.
Kano State recorded a mixed outcome: police tactical teams pursued suspected bandits following an attack in Garun Mallam Town, forcing them to abandon abduction victim Alh Yusif Nadabo, who was rescued. However, three other victims who had sustained gunshot wounds during the attack later died despite being evacuated for medical treatment.
BANDITS AND KIDNAPPERS NEUTRALIZED IN GUN BATTLES
Police confirmed the neutralization of several armed suspects during exchanges of gunfire across multiple states. In Sokoto State, a joint operation involving police tactical teams, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the VCRU and military personnel intercepted bandits heading toward Maikujera Village, neutralizing three of them during a bush-combing exercise that followed a prolonged firefight. No casualties were recorded among security personnel or villagers.
In Katsina State, police engaged suspected cattle rustlers who had attacked herders at Tafoki Village, overpowering the assailants and recovering all five stolen cows. Injured victims were taken to Funtua General Hospital for treatment.
ARRESTS AND RECOVERIES TARGET ARMED ROBBERY, DRUG AND HOMICIDE SUSPECTS
Lagos State police tracked and arrested three suspected members of an armed robbery and carjacking syndicate, recovering two locally made pistols and a revolver loaded with ammunition. Investigators say efforts are ongoing to apprehend other syndicate members.
In Delta State, a routine patrol along Mariam Babagida Road in Asaba led to the arrest of 33-year-old Ossai Price, who was found wearing a Special Forces uniform and carrying a locally fabricated pump-action firearm resembling an AK-47, loaded with four live cartridges.
Akwa Ibom State police raided a suspected criminal hideout at Ikot Edong Village in Uyo, arresting two suspected drug dealers — Moses Dominic Okon and Kufre Essien Okon — and recovering a large quantity of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
In a separate case in Ogun State, police arrested Biola Adeokola in connection with the fatal attack on Adeyemi Adegoke at Arigbajo, with search operations continuing for fleeing accomplices.
Abia State operatives of the Vigilante and Community Relations Corps (VCRC) stormed Okohia Forest in Ukwa West Local Government Area following intelligence about hoodlums attempting to set up a camp. The suspects fled, but a search of the area yielded a locally made pistol, dozens of rounds of ammunition, magazines, a military camouflage uniform, and suspected Indian hemp.
TWO OYO CASES HIGHLIGHT KIDNAPPING CRACKDOWN
Oyo State featured prominently in the report, with two separate kidnapping-related operations. In one, security teams combing bushland following the abduction of nine-year-old Shittu Ridwan arrested four suspects, including 21-year-old Amadu Soliu, alongside four expended cartridges. Search efforts to locate the child continue.
In a second case, operatives on “Operation Velvet” intercepted 27-year-old Ali Betau along the Igbope/Igbeti Road. Phone records linked him to a wanted kidnapping suspect, and a victim positively identified him as one of her abductors. Four ATM cards were recovered from him.
ADDITIONAL RECOVERIES IN KADUNA AND ENUGU
In Kaduna State, a joint team of police, Mobile Force personnel and the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVIS) responded to reports of bandits harassing farmers. The suspects fled into the bush, abandoning a pump-action rifle, ammunition and a motorcycle, all of which were recovered.
In Enugu State, following the abduction of three persons at Amaja Community, a joint team of police, army personnel, neighbourhood watch groups and forest guards recovered three expended shells of 7.62x39mm ammunition during search operations, which remain ongoing to rescue the victims.
INVESTIGATIONS ONGOING
The police say all cases have been transferred to the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments (SCID) — including Eleweran, Sokoto, Kano, Umuahia, Ikeja, Katsina, Jalingo, Ibadan, Asaba, Jos, Uyo, Kaduna and Enugu — for further investigation and prosecution of suspects in custody.
The Force reiterated its commitment to combating banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery nationwide.
This report is based on an official statement issued by CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.
