The Nigeria Police Force has reported a series of operational successes across five states, including the foiling of a bandit attack on a police station in Benue State and the arrest of 22 suspected criminals.
The Force disclosed the developments in its state-by-state operational summary on Monday, in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.
In Benue State, police personnel attached to the Police Mobile Force repelled armed bandits who attacked the Jootar Police Station on August 9.
According to the police, the attackers opened fire on the station, where PMF personnel were stationed, but were forced to retreat after the operatives responded with superior firepower.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the attackers allegedly intended to incapacitate the station before targeting influential individuals in the area.
A civilian, identified as Mlanga Gbange, sustained a stray bullet injury to his leg during the incident and was taken to St. Anthony Hospital, Zaki-Biam, for treatment. No police personnel was injured or killed.
In Imo State, 11 suspected members and associates of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network were arrested during a police operation at a suspected hideout in Odumara Orodo, Mbaitoli Local Government Area.
The operation, which was carried out on August 8 following intelligence, also led to the recovery of a wooden, charm-fortified bullet-proof vest.
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that two of the suspects were active members of the IPOB/ESN militia group, while four others were allegedly associating with the group.
Meanwhile, Anambra State Police Command has commenced an investigation into a suspected cult-related killing along Ezeiweka Road, Awada.
The police said an unidentified young man was shot in the head by about five suspected cult members armed with pump-action guns and travelling in a tricycle.
The victim was confirmed dead on arrival at Borromeo Hospital, where his remains were deposited for autopsy. Police patrols and investigations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
In Akwa Ibom, eight suspected cultists and drug dealers were arrested during separate operations between August 8 and 10.
The police said its Anti-Cultism Unit raided suspected criminal hideouts following credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of seven alleged cultists and drug dealers.
Various suspected illicit drugs, including Indian hemp, Tramadol, Loud and Ice, were recovered.
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In a separate operation at Ikot Ubok Udom Village in Nsit Atai Local Government Area, detectives arrested three suspected cultists and recovered a single-barrel gun and a pump-action firearm from their residences.
The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects who fled during the operations.
In Ekiti State, police arrested a 40-year-old man, identified as Owoyemi Dele, over an alleged attempted sexual assault of a 96-year-old woman in Emure Ekiti.
According to the police, the suspect allegedly entered the victim’s room around 1am on August 9 and attempted to sexually assault her.
The elderly woman reportedly raised an alarm after the suspect allegedly struck her in the mouth, attracting neighbours and local vigilantes who apprehended him before handing him over to the police.
The victim was subsequently taken to General Hospital, Emure Ekiti, for medical attention, while the suspect was taken into custody.
The police said investigations into the various incidents were ongoing through the State Criminal Investigation Departments in Makurdi, Owerri, Awka, Uyo and Ado-Ekiti.
The Force reiterated its commitment to combating violent crime, cultism, terrorism and other criminal activities while urging citizens to continue providing credible information to security agencies.