By Julius Peter, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a series of operational successes across 15 states, including the foiling of a suspected kidnapping attempt, arrests of suspects linked to cultism, sexual assault, attempted murder and infrastructure vandalism, as well as the recovery of firearms and ammunition.
The Force also reported ongoing search, rescue, tracking and bush-combing operations in several states following incidents of kidnapping, attacks and a boat mishap.
The operational update, covering incidents recorded between September 23 and 27, 2026, was contained in a state-by-state executive summary issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, for the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
According to the police, the operations involved conventional police units, tactical teams, military personnel, vigilantes, forest guards and other local security partners.
In Katsina State, police operatives and tactical teams reportedly foiled an attempted kidnapping operation at Sabon Gari Maikomo Village on September 25.
The operatives engaged suspected bandits in a gun duel, forcing them to retreat into the bush. One injured victim was evacuated to the General Hospital for medical attention.
The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Katsina, is investigating the incident.
In Benue State, two suspects were arrested on September 26 following a distress call over individuals allegedly brandishing a firearm during a youth executive election meeting.
Police said one locally fabricated pistol was recovered from the suspects, who were subsequently taken into custody for investigation by the SCID, Makurdi.
Also on September 26, police in Ebonyi State arrested two suspects allegedly linked to the abduction and sexual assault of two female victims.
The suspects, alongside the victims and the case file, were transferred to the State CID in Abakaliki for discreet investigation.
On September 25, officers conducting routine stop-and-search operations along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway intercepted a commercial vehicle and arrested a suspect after allegedly recovering a locally made pistol and one live cartridge from his possession.
In another operation along the Igboora-Eruwa Expressway, two suspects were arrested over alleged vandalism of electrical infrastructure. Police said electrical aluminium conductor wire suspected to have been removed from electricity poles was recovered from them.
The police also reported the arrest of a suspect following an attempted murder incident at Balose Village on September 23.
According to the Force, the victim was evacuated to Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, for medical treatment, while the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.
In Kano State, police patrol operatives responded to a reported mob attack at Kofar Mata on September 26.
An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who was reportedly caught in the incident, was rescued by the police and evacuated for medical attention.
The Force said normalcy had been restored in the area, which was subsequently placed under close police monitoring. The SCID, Bompai, is investigating.
In Kebbi State, police tactical units, working with vigilantes, were deployed to Dadin Kowa Village following an attack and reported abduction.
The Force said manhunt and bush-combing operations were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend those responsible.
Similarly, Kwara State recorded two separate rescue operations.
On September 24, police operatives, vigilantes and forest guards were mobilised following the abduction of a victim, with bush-combing operations continuing in an effort to secure the victim’s release and apprehend the perpetrators.
On September 27, another joint operation involving police, military personnel and local vigilantes was launched along the Eruku/Koro Road following an attack.
The security teams were conducting bush-combing operations to locate and rescue seven missing persons and apprehend those responsible for the incident.
In Enugu State, operatives of the Police’s VCRU were deployed after the reported abduction of a female victim on September 26.
The Force said concerted tracking and bush-combing operations were underway to locate and rescue the victim and arrest the perpetrators.
In Anambra State, police operatives were mobilised following the reported abduction of six persons on September 25.
The Force said bush-combing operations commenced in collaboration with other security personnel to rescue the victims and apprehend the suspects.
Meanwhile, in Kogi State, four kidnapped victims reportedly escaped from their captors on September 25.
Following their escape, police operatives and joint security forces were mobilised to the area, where bush-combing and clearance operations commenced to locate the perpetrators and secure the area.
In Niger State, combined teams of police, military personnel and local vigilantes were deployed to Saminaka Village following a reported terrorist attack on September 25.
The Force said joint security teams were tracking the perpetrators as investigations continued.
In Bayelsa State, search-and-rescue operations were ongoing following a boat mishap on the Oporoma River on September 26.
The police said the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yenagoa, was investigating the incident while rescue efforts continued.
The series of operations highlight the wide range of security incidents confronting law-enforcement agencies across different parts of the country, from kidnapping and violent attacks to cult-related activities, sexual assault, attempted murder, infrastructure vandalism and maritime emergencies.
The police operational update also underscored the increasing reliance on joint operations involving the police, military, vigilantes, forest guards and other community-based security structures, particularly in areas requiring bush-combing, tracking and rescue operations.
While several of the operations resulted in arrests, rescues or recovery of exhibits, police authorities said investigations remained ongoing in the affected cases.
The Force urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to assist ongoing investigations, rescue efforts and the apprehension of persons suspected of involvement in criminal activities.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining public safety, while urging citizens to cooperate with security personnel.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, signed the operational summary issued from Force Headquarters, Abuja, under the hashtags #PoliceIsYourFriend and #CitizensAreTheBoss.
