The Nigeria Police Force has rescued 36 kidnapped victims and arrested at least 12 suspects in separate operations across Gombe, Sokoto, Rivers, Lagos, Enugu, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, Ebonyi, Ogun, Adamawa and Kaduna states.
The operations, conducted between September 24 and 25, 2026, also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, motorcycles and stolen vehicles, according to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.
In Sokoto State, police and military personnel rescued 30 kidnapped passengers after engaging bandits who attacked vehicles conveying travellers on September 24.
The security operatives reportedly overpowered the attackers, forcing them to flee into a nearby forest and abandon their victims.
Two of the rescued victims, who sustained injuries, were evacuated to a medical facility for treatment, while the State Criminal Investigation Department continued the investigation.
In Gombe State, police and other security personnel arrested four suspected kidnappers during a clearance operation at Ribado Ward, Funakaye Local Government Area, between September 24 and 25.
Two kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt, while operational pressure reportedly forced members of the fleeing gang to release another victim, who was subsequently reunited with his family.
Three motorcycles were also recovered as exhibits.
In Rivers State, police operatives intercepted a suspected kidnap gang following a high-speed chase on September 24, rescuing one victim and arresting one suspect.
An AK-47 rifle, three rounds of live ammunition and a tricycle were recovered from the suspects.
In Lagos, police recovered two stolen vehicles after responding to a distress call over an alleged carjacking on September 25.
The suspects reportedly abandoned the vehicles and fled after realising that police operatives were closing in.
Similarly, police in Enugu arrested a suspect during a raid on a criminal hideout in collaboration with neighbourhood watch personnel and recovered a locally made pistol.
In Benue State, two suspected cultists were arrested during a routine patrol, while a locally fabricated revolver pistol, two expended rounds of ammunition, a mobile phone and charms were recovered.
In the FCT, police arrested one of three suspected cable vandals intercepted behind Maitama Extension following a hot chase. The suspect allegedly provided information identifying his accomplices.
Police also arrested suspects linked to separate murder and manslaughter cases in Ebonyi and Ogun states.
In Ebonyi, a suspect was arrested over the death of a victim who had sustained severe burn injuries, while the corpse was deposited at a hospital mortuary for autopsy.
In Ogun, police arrested a suspect in a separate suspected murder case after visiting and documenting the scene. The corpse was deposited at a morgue for autopsy.
Another suspect was arrested in connection with the death of a newborn following alleged medical intervention in Ijebu Ode. The infant’s remains were deposited at the General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, for autopsy.
Police detectives also recovered a blood-stained bedsheet as an exhibit during investigation into another suspected murder in Ogun.
Meanwhile, in Adamawa State, police responded to an attack on communities in Hong Local Government Area, recovering three bodies and evacuating two injured victims to the Federal Medical Centre, Hong.
Joint security operatives were said to be trailing the perpetrators.
In Kaduna State, police mobilised an APC patrol team to the scene of a bandit attack and blocked escape routes in an attempt to contain the attackers.
Two injured victims were subsequently evacuated to the General Hospital, Malumfashi, for treatment.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the State Criminal Investigation Departments in the affected states were handling the investigations.
He reiterated the commitment of the police to protecting lives and property and combating criminal activities across the country.