By Kingsley Omonobi
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 43 suspected criminals and rescued six kidnapped victims in coordinated operations carried out across the country within the last 24 hours.
The Force Headquarters said the operations, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, also led to the recovery of firearms, suspected stolen property, illicit substances and rustled livestock in Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Gombe, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Bauchi and Zamfara states.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Iniedu, said the operations demonstrated the commitment of the police to combating crime, protecting lives and property, and improving public safety nationwide.
In Anambra State, police operatives arrested a suspected electricity transformer vandal, identified as Chiemerie Chukwuma, who was allegedly electrocuted while attempting to vandalise a transformer. The suspect was rescued by officers and taken into custody while receiving treatment at St. Felix Hospital, Nnewi.
In Bayelsa State, three suspected cultists, including 24-year-old Michael Kabaka and two students of the Federal University, Otuoke, were arrested following a shooting incident. Police said a battle axe and a Toyota Corolla with registration number GBB-731-AE were recovered.
The Benue State Police Command arrested three suspects following an attack on the State Civil Protection Guard office and recovered a locally fabricated pistol.
In Delta State, police arrested three suspects — Israel Nwafor, Eric Michael and Peter Edaifogho — in connection with a murder case. The victim’s remains were deposited at the Federal Medical Centre morgue for autopsy.
The Force said a patrol team in Gombe State intercepted a vehicle conveying two suspected stolen cows. One suspect, Adamu Tukur, 40, was arrested after being rescued from an angry mob attempting to lynch him. The vehicle and recovered cattle were secured as exhibits.
The police also said security arrangements were successfully provided during the visit of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu to Kogi State without any security breach.
One of the major breakthroughs was recorded in Nasarawa State, where police operatives rescued six kidnap victims unhurt after sustained pressure on their abductors. The victims were medically examined, debriefed and reunited with their families.
The Nasarawa Command also carried out a joint clearance operation with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Counter-Terrorism Unit, Police Mobile Force, Civilian Joint Task Force and local hunters across nine communities. The operation led to the arrest of 29 suspects and recovery of substances suspected to be cannabis.
In another operation, the Visitation and Crime Response Unit (VCRU) responded to an armed robbery distress call, arresting one suspect and recovering a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle, a laptop and other valuables allegedly abandoned by fleeing robbers.
In Niger State, police tactical teams, the Department of State Services (DSS), hunters and vigilantes launched a joint operation following a homicide incident. One suspect, Sagir Gwino, alias Dawa, was arrested in connection with a missing persons case, with personal belongings belonging to the victims recovered.
The Ogun State Police Command also arrested a 24-year-old woman, Sonde Mary, for allegedly assisting a suspect in a rape case to evade arrest.
In Osun State, detectives visited a murder scene, documented evidence and evacuated the victim’s remains to the Wesley Guild Hospital mortuary for autopsy.
In Bauchi State, police operatives, alongside local hunters and vigilantes, responded to an armed robbery and homicide incident, secured the scene and facilitated the release of the deceased’s body to the family for burial in line with Islamic rites.
In Zamfara State, joint police tactical teams and other security agencies responded to a bandit ambush. The Force said victims were evacuated for autopsy and burial arrangements facilitated.
It added that police recovered four cows abandoned by fleeing bandits after a gun battle in Gummi Local Government Area and handed them over to the State Government Committee on Cattle Recovery for identification and return to their owners.
The Force Headquarters said joint security patrols had been intensified along the Gusau-Tsafe Federal Highway and other vulnerable routes to prevent further criminal activities.
It urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information to aid crime prevention and enhance national security.
