The Nigeria Police Force has recorded major breakthroughs in its nationwide crackdown on crime, rescuing five kidnapped victims, recovering about 350 rounds of ammunition, stolen vehicles and firearms, while arresting 14 suspects across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The operations, concluded on July 8, also led to the killing of three armed suspects during separate encounters with security operatives.
However, the police noted that kidnapping remains the country’s most prevalent violent crime, with eight abduction cases recorded during the reporting period.
The achievements were contained in the Force’s Daily Situation Report (SITREP) presented to the Inspector-General of Police and made available on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Inedu.
According to the report, security operatives recovered four firearms, about 350 rounds of ammunition and three stolen vehicles during intelligence-led operations across the country.
Official crime statistics for the period also showed six homicide cases, one banditry incident, one cult-related offence and one case of gender-based violence, while no cases of armed robbery or terrorism were recorded.
One of the biggest breakthroughs came in Imo State, where police raided a criminal hideout in a swamp and recovered 346 rounds of assorted ammunition and seven magazines.
In another operation in the state, detectives foiled an alleged assassination plot, arrested four suspects and recovered two locally made pistols with additional ammunition.
In Bauchi State, joint security operatives rescued three kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation around the Yankari Game Reserve. Although the kidnappers escaped, security teams said efforts were ongoing to apprehend them.
In Benue State, police arrested a suspect linked to the killing of Professor Gabriel Saawua Nyityo and his son after he was intercepted at an NDLEA checkpoint.
Another operation in Logo Local Government Area led to the death of a suspected bandit and the recovery of ammunition, a motorcycle and charms. Search efforts also continued for a woman abducted in Katsina-Ala.
In Delta State, a kidnapped woman was rescued unconscious by security operatives and rushed to hospital for treatment.
Police in the Federal Capital Territory also recorded success against vehicle theft with the recovery of two stolen vehicles, including a Toyota RAV4 allegedly stolen earlier the same day, and the arrest of two suspects.
In Edo State, police launched a manhunt for kidnappers who abducted a cattle dealer, while an official of the Edo State Security Corps was arrested over alleged cult activities. A pump-action gun was recovered during the operation.
In Gombe State, four suspects were arrested over the killing of one person during a violent land dispute.
Gunmen also attacked a Fulani settlement in Jigawa State, killing one man and abducting his wife. Police said forest operations had commenced to rescue the victim.
In Nasarawa State, police recovered a pistol during investigations into a homicide and rescued one of three abducted university students, while efforts continued to locate the remaining victims.
A homicide suspect believed to be mentally unstable was arrested in Niger State after one person was killed and two others injured.
In Ogun State, a 60-year-old Imam was arrested for allegedly defiling a 15-year-old girl and attempting to terminate her pregnancy.
Police in Ondo State killed two suspected kidnappers during a foiled attack and recovered a pistol, a live cartridge and other exhibits.
Security operatives in Sokoto State arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and recovered two stolen sheep. In another incident, one person was killed during a bandit attack while the assailants fled with a motorcycle.
In Plateau State, police arrested a suspect allegedly found with a locally fabricated pistol and a knife at a health facility, causing panic among residents.
The report warned that the persistent wave of kidnappings across the country underscores the need for stronger collaboration among security agencies, particularly in forest and border operations.
It also observed that many homicide cases stemmed from land disputes, domestic conflicts and bandit-related violence, calling for intelligence-led policing, stronger community engagement and improved conflict resolution mechanisms.
The Force further urged increased intelligence sharing, faster deployment of response teams and greater public cooperation to sustain the gains recorded in the ongoing nationwide anti-crime operations.
