Police Crack Down on Criminal Networks Across 10 States

(Nigeria Police Force. Photo Credit: Nation News)

In a series of intelligence-led operations conducted over the past 24 hours, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has achieved significant operational victories in ten states, including the arrest of suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, drug traffickers, and livestock rustlers, as well as the rescue of seven abducted victims.

Coordinated by several state commands, the operations also resulted in the recovery of vehicles, stolen property, illegal substances, firearms, and ammunition.

Two alleged kidnappers, Muhammadu Ibrahim, 35, and Isah Jahogi, 25, were apprehended when police officers in Adamawa State, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), stormed a kidnappers’ hideaway in Ba’a Usman Forest, Fufore Local Government Area.

A locally-made pistol was recovered from the suspects, who were said to be members of a kidn@pping syndicate terrorising Fufore and Jada Local Government Areas.

In Kogi State, a swift response by joint security operatives foiled an @bduction along the Kabba-Ayere Road.

Police explained that intensive bush-combing operations, supported by the deployment of tear gas, forced the kidn@ppers to abandon six kidn@pped victims, who were rescued unhurt, adding that two vehicles were also recovered while efforts continue to rescue other passengers believed to have been taken away by the fleeing crimin@ls.

Operatives in Ogun State also rescued a kidn@pped victim, Engr. Sola Boyeji, during sustained bush-combing operations, recovering another victim’s vehicle as investigators intensified efforts to apprehend the @bductors.

In Nasarawa State, police arrested suspected kidn@pper Halilu Alhaji Shehu following intelligence-led operations, with the victim reportedly identifying him as one of his @bductors, even as security operatives launched a manhunt for other gang members.

The police also intensified the fight against cultism and violent crime in Delta, Edo and Lagos states.

In Delta, operatives arrested suspected cultist Oghenebuba Mamatime, recovering three locally-made pistols and a single-barrel gun.

The command also arrested Benjamin Omoniovo, 32, described as a suspected @bductor, r@pist and fr@udster, who was reportedly identified by five complainants.

In another operation in the state, officers arrested robbery suspect Jude Okonji and recovered a stolen motorcycle, preventing an attempted mob att@ck on the suspect.

In Edo State, Nosa Ehimwenma, 25, was arrested with a locally-made pistol and two live cartridges, with police stating he confessed to belonging to the Black Axe confraternity and provided useful information to investigators.

Similarly, Lagos operatives arrested suspected cultist Michael Abina, recovering eight live cartridges and 10 sachets of tramadol from him.

In Ebonyi State, police intercepted armed men allegedly blocking a road at Umuebe Roundabout in Ngbo, arresting Sunday John Obi, 38, and recovering a pump-action gun with two live cartridges, while his accomplice reportedly escaped.

The anti-crime operations also extended to Akwa Ibom and Benue states. In Akwa Ibom, three suspected drug dealers were arrested during a raid on a criminal hideout in Ikot Ekpene, where large quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered.

In Benue State, Mohammed Bilyaminu, 19, was arrested over alleged cattle rustling and the k!lling of one Benjamin Paul, with police saying the suspect confessed to the crime and had provided information that would aid the arrest of other gang members.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, who released the operational summary, said investigations were ongoing in all the cases while efforts had been intensified to arrest fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal networks operating across the affected states, reaffirming the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting lives and property through intelligence-driven policing and sustained nationwide operations.