The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 177 suspected high-profile criminals, recovered 52 stolen vehicles and rescued 25 kidnapped victims in nationwide operations conducted between September 12 and 18, 2026.
The operations also resulted in the recovery of 38 assorted firearms and 2,578 rounds of live ammunition, while 11 suspected high-profile armed criminals were reportedly neutralised during encounters with police operatives.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police Ani Iniedu, disclosed the figures during the Force’s weekly operational briefing, according to a statement posted on the police X account on Wednesday.
She said the arrests involved suspects allegedly linked to armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, gun running, murder and homicide.
“Through intelligence-led tactical operations, the Force has made a total of 177 arrests of high-profile criminal suspects involved in armed robbery, kidnappings, banditry, terrorism, gun running, murders and homicides across Nigeria,” Iniedu said.
The police spokesperson said the operations were part of the Force’s intelligence-led strategy and collaboration with other security stakeholders to disrupt criminal networks across the country.
Giving details of some of the operations, Iniedu said the Kaduna State Police Command dismantled kidnapping camps during a tactical operation in the state.
Four suspected kidnappers were reportedly neutralised, 12 suspects arrested and two kidnapped victims rescued in the operation.
In Imo State, police operatives reportedly dislodged a camp allegedly associated with the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra, the Eastern Security Network, in Oguta Local Government Area.
The operation led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, two magazines containing 52 rounds of ammunition and a hand grenade, according to the Force.
The Katsina State Police Command also rescued three women who had been kidnapped and recovered an AK-47 rifle after a gun battle with suspected bandits.
In Delta State, four suspects were arrested over an alleged online abduction operation in Asaba.
The Force alleged that the suspects used TikTok to lure their victims before holding them captive and gaining unauthorised access to the bank account of one of the victims.
In another operation in Zamfara State, police operatives intercepted three suspects and allegedly recovered 1,123 rounds of assorted live ammunition concealed in a Toyota Corolla.
The Anambra State Police Command, meanwhile, rescued two kidnapped victims following a pursuit involving police operatives and local vigilantes.
The victims were reportedly abducted by five armed suspects, including a woman who was allegedly targeted during the incident.
Iniedu said the recovery of the stolen vehicles, firearms and ammunition, alongside the arrests and rescue operations, underscored the Force’s ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal activities and protect communities.
“We recovered 52 stolen vehicles and neutralised 11 high-profile armed suspects during decisive operational engagements nationwide,” she said.
The police said the operations would continue as part of efforts to identify and dismantle criminal networks operating across the country.
