The Nigeria Police Force has reported a series of operational successes across several states, including the rescue of kidnapped victims, arrests of suspected criminals and recovery of firearms, ammunition and stolen property.
The developments, contained in the Force’s operational update for Sunday, August 30, 2026, covered incidents recorded in Enugu, Kebbi, Gombe, Abia, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Katsina, Bayelsa, Delta, Oyo, Cross River, Ogun and Ebonyi states.
In Enugu State, police operatives working with forest guards, neighbourhood watch members and local youths foiled a kidnapping operation at Amofia Agu Community, Affa, on August 29.
The operatives rescued an abducted youth leader and arrested a 23-year-old suspect, identified as Ifebuche Onu.
Two firearms were recovered from the operation, including an AK-47 rifle with two magazines containing 53 rounds of ammunition and a Beretta rifle with a magazine loaded with 30 rounds. Police also recovered a fortified charm, a button phone and a bunch of keys.
In another Enugu operation, two suspects, Thomas Ugwu, 19, and Ozokolo Chinedu, 18, were arrested over the abduction of an eight-year-old boy, Adipkuta Chiemerie.
Police said the suspects were arrested at Povilla Hotel, Amebo, after intelligence indicated that the boy had been released following payment of a ₦1 million ransom into a UBA account. The victim reportedly identified the suspects, who allegedly confessed to the crime, and has since been reunited with his family.
In Kebbi State, police pressure on suspected kidnappers led to the escape and release of five brothers abducted from their settlement in Tungan Dariya Forest, Shanga.
Three victims were reportedly released while attempting to return to their livestock, while two others escaped from captivity as security forces intensified operations.
A suspect, Bello Ali Toro, 20, was subsequently arrested after one of the victims spotted him during Juma’at prayers at the Central Mosque. The victim also recovered his stolen Tecno phone from the suspect.
Gombe State also recorded the release of two kidnapping victims, 31-year-old Hadiza Mohammadu and her 15-year-old daughter, Hajara. The pair, abducted on August 24, were released unharmed and reunited with their family.
In Abia, police arrested 37-year-old Anthony Chibuike over the fatal shooting of 80-year-old Onwuasoanya Ehirim at Igbere Street, Umuahia. A Beretta pistol and one round of ammunition were recovered from the suspect.
Rivers State authorities, meanwhile, took custody of 21-year-old Aaron Monday, who was handed over by local vigilantes and OSPAC personnel following an alleged residential robbery along Rumuologu.
Police recovered a locally made cut-to-size pistol, live and expended cartridges, a Nokia phone and other stolen valuables. The suspect allegedly confessed to belonging to a four-man robbery gang operating around Ozouba, Choba and Eleme.
In Akwa Ibom, police recovered a Ford Jeep allegedly stolen from Akpasak Estate, Uyo. A private security operative, Bright Ekpeyong Okon, was arrested after the vehicle was traced to Delta State.
Katsina police also arrested 25-year-old Hamisu Umar during an operation targeting the vandalisation of PHCN cables at Jiba Village in Sandamu Local Government Area. Two suspected accomplices reportedly escaped, abandoning a motorcycle which was recovered by the police.
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In Bayelsa, two suspects, Nabo Innocent, also known as Yellow Papa, 39, and Ayibatare Talbot, 36, were arrested in connection with an alleged attempted armed robbery at Bassambiri. Police said the principal suspect was tracked to his hideout in Ogbolomabiri.
Delta State police arrested 23-year-old Michelle Okolo over an alleged child-selling case involving her newborn son. According to the police, the suspect allegedly conspired with another woman to sell the baby through an intermediary to a buyer in Onitsha, Anambra State, for ₦1.8 million. Efforts are ongoing to locate the child and arrest other suspects.
In Oyo State, a vigilante member identified as Mathew Monday was arrested for allegedly shooting a 23-year-old herder, Bello Abu, in the right leg while he was grazing cattle in the Lagun area of Ibadan. Police recovered a Dane gun from the suspect.
Cross River police also arrested a 37-year-old security guard, Ndifreke Godwin, over the alleged sexual assault of an eight-year-old girl. The survivor was taken to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for medical care.
In Ogun State, a 22-year-old suspect identified as Daniel was arrested over the alleged defilement of a 15-year-old girl. Police said the suspect allegedly gave the girl a malt drink after which she lost consciousness before the alleged assault occurred.
Ebonyi State police arrested 22-year-old Chukwudi Elechi Amadi over the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Chijioke Oko Aka during a wake-keep at Ihie Amasiri, Afikpo.
The police said the victim’s remains were recovered and deposited for autopsy, while the suspect remained in custody.
Also in Gombe, police arrested 50-year-old Iliya Ibrahim over the alleged sexual assault of his seven-year-old stepdaughter. Both the suspect and the victim were taken to a specialist hospital for medical examination.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the various cases were under investigation by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments, with efforts continuing to arrest fleeing suspects, recover outstanding exhibits and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incidents.
The police urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, violent crime and other criminal activities.