Police neutralise five suspected bandits, rescue kidnap victims in nationwide operations
Police
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigeria Police Force has claimed its operatives have neutralised five suspected bandits and kidnappers, rescued two kidnap victims and recovered firearms and ammunition in separate operations across several states.
A statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anie-Iniedu, said the operational successes were recorded between August 14 and 16, 2026.
According to the statement, police tactical teams in Sokoto State foiled an attempted bandit attack on Dankadu Village in Illela Local Government Area on August 15.
The operatives reportedly engaged the attackers and forced them to flee into the forest before clearance operations led to the neutralisation of two suspected bandits.
“Two AK-47 rifles, two magazines and 54 rounds of live ammunition were recovered,” the statement said, adding that no security personnel or villagers were killed in the operation.
In Imo State, police operatives rescued two kidnap victims during a gun duel with suspected kidnappers in a forest between Amakohia Ubi and Okuku.
The police said two suspects were neutralised, while others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
Recovered items included a locally made single-barrel gun, an empty AK-47 magazine, a machete, a dagger, a mobile phone, three National Identity Cards, and four ATM cards.
The police also reported that one suspected bandit was neutralised during a search-and-rescue operation along the Otukpo-Adoka Road in Benue State.
An AK-47 rifle and three rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the Amla Icho Forest in Otukpo Local Government Area.
In Katsina State, tactical teams repelled an attack by armed bandits at Ilallah Village in Dandume Local Government Area.
The attackers reportedly fled into the bush with suspected gunshot injuries.
Meanwhile, 18 suspected cultists were arrested in Delta State following the murder of a resident along Ekwhere Road, Agbarho.
Police said large quantities of suspected illicit drugs, including tramadol and codeine, were recovered during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout.
In Nasarawa State, several suspects were arrested in connection with the robbery of a motorcycle at a suspected hideout along Ambana Road, Lafia.
Two stolen Bajaj motorcycles, four number plates, two riders’ vests and a club allegedly used during the robbery were recovered.
The police further disclosed that a suspected member of a criminal syndicate was arrested at Soka, Ibadan, Oyo State.
One locally fabricated pistol, a long single-barrel gun, nine rounds of 9mm ammunition and nine live cartridges were recovered.
In another operation in Sokoto metropolis, three suspected members of a motorcycle theft syndicate were arrested in the Kwannawa and Tamaje areas.
Five stolen motorcycles and one fabricated pistol were recovered.
The Force said the relevant State Criminal Investigation Departments were conducting further investigations into the incidents.
