By Julius Peter, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a series of operational successes across several states, leading to the arrest of at least 18 suspects and the recovery of live ammunition, firearms, stolen motorcycles, livestock, explosive devices and other exhibits.
The operations, conducted between September 11 and 12, 2026, covered Zamfara, Imo, Katsina, Oyo, Gombe, Delta, Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), according to a state-by-state operational update issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on Monday.
Among the major breakthroughs was the interception of a vehicle in Zamfara State conveying three suspects and containing 1,123 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 live ammunition.
According to the police, operatives intercepted the vehicle at a checkpoint in Maru Local Government Area of the state, where the ammunition was discovered concealed inside the vehicle.
The three suspects were arrested, while the recovered ammunition was taken into police custody. The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Gusau, is handling the investigation.
In Imo State, police operatives arrested three suspected armed robbery suspects at a hideout and recovered 13 stolen motorcycles.
The operation also led to the recovery of an unregistered Toyota Sienna bus, motorcycle spare parts and other exhibits.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, indicated that some of the recovered motorcycles were allegedly stolen at gunpoint.The suspects are currently being investigated by the SCID, Owerri.
The Police also reported a significant breakthrough against banditry in Katsina State, where tactical teams engaged suspected armed bandits in a gun duel.
The confrontation reportedly forced the bandits to flee into the bush with gunshot injuries.
One suspect was arrested during the operation, while 15 rustled cows and 35 sheep were recovered.
The recovered livestock are expected to assist ongoing investigations into livestock rustling and banditry in the area.
In a separate operation in Katsina, police tactical teams arrested three suspected bandits allegedly linked to the abduction of an elderly victim.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly conspired to abduct the victim and demanded and collected N3 million ransom before releasing him after 16 days in captivity.The three suspects are being investigated by the SCID, Katsina.
In Oyo State, a combined team of police operatives and other security personnel rescued a kidnapped victim after intensifying operations in the area.
The security team reportedly combed surrounding bushes in pursuit of the abductors, forcing them to abandon the victim and flee.
The victim was rescued unharmed and taken to safety, while investigators at the SCID, Ibadan, commenced efforts to identify and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Gombe records multiple arrests and recoveriesGombe State recorded several operational successes during the period under review.
In one operation, police arrested a suspected armed robber following an attack on a residence. A stolen motorcycle was recovered, while two locally made explosive devices and other exhibits were found abandoned by fleeing suspects.
In another operation, police arrested a suspected armed robbery suspect and recovered a stolen motorcycle following a separate attack on a residence.
The state also recorded an arrest linked to alleged vandalisation. Police operatives, working with local vigilantes, arrested a suspect found in possession of stolen armoured cables.
A saw and pliers allegedly used in the vandalisation were also recovered.All three cases are being investigated by the SCID, Gombe.
In Delta State, police operatives arrested a suspect allegedly found in possession of a pump-action gun and 18 live cartridges.
The suspect and recovered exhibits have been taken into custody as investigations continue at the SCID, Asaba.
In the Federal Capital Territory, police operatives traced and arrested a suspect allegedly involved in the stabbing death of a male victim.
The suspect reportedly fled the scene after the incident but was subsequently traced and arrested by police operatives.The case is being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Abuja.
In a separate operation in the FCT, police arrested a suspected car thief at the National Stadium following a distress call.
According to the police, operatives responded swiftly to the alert and arrested the suspect while he was allegedly attempting to steal a Toyota Sienna vehicle.
In Sokoto State, police detectives arrested a suspect in connection with an alleged unnatural offence involving a five-year-old child.
The victim was taken to a General Hospital, where the child received medical treatment and was subsequently discharged.The police said investigations into the case are ongoing.
The latest operational update highlights the continued efforts of the Nigeria Police Force to combat violent crime, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, firearms trafficking, vandalism, vehicle theft and other criminal activities across the country.
The recovery of more than 1,100 rounds of AK-47 ammunition in Zamfara, alongside firearms and cartridges in Delta, explosive devices in Gombe, stolen motorcycles in Imo and Gombe, and rustled livestock in Katsina, underscores the range of criminal activities being targeted by police formations.
The Force said the various cases remain under investigation by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments and other investigative units.
The Police also urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to assist in preventing crime, rescuing victims and apprehending criminal suspects.
The operational update was signed by CSP Ani Iniedu, ANIPR, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
