By Onoja Baba
The Nigeria Police Force has announced a series of coordinated operations across several states, resulting in the repelling of a terrorist attack, the rescue of kidnap victims, the recovery of arms and ammunition, and the arrest of suspected kidnappers, cultists and other criminal elements between July 31 and August 3, 2026.
In a state by state operational summary released on Monday, the Force said combined security operatives successfully repelled a terrorist attack on a local government secretariat in Borno State on August 1. The attack was foiled after a gun battle, normalcy was restored, while clearance operations were ongoing to track fleeing terrorists. The State Criminal Investigation Department in Maiduguri has commenced investigations.
In Zamfara State, joint security operatives neutralised several bandits during a fierce gun battle conducted between July 31 and August 2. The police also arrested a suspect allegedly transporting communication gadgets to bandits. According to the Force, operations are continuing to dismantle criminal networks operating across the state.
The police also recorded a major breakthrough in Nasarawa State, where operatives intercepted two female suspects allegedly transporting 551 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition. Ten loaded AK-47 magazines and additional rounds of ammunition were recovered during the operation. The suspects reportedly confessed, prompting investigators to expand the probe to identify and arrest other members of the network.
In Rivers State, police operatives arrested three suspected cultists linked to the killing of two police officers in an earlier attack. Two stolen police AK-47 rifles were recovered from the gang’s hideout, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend another fleeing member of the group.
Similarly, in Imo State, security operatives arrested a suspected native doctor alleged to be collaborating with members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network. Another suspected cultist was arrested during a raid on a cult initiation camp, leading to the recovery of two Beretta pistols, one locally made pistol and live ammunition.
The Force also reported the rescue of a kidnapped motor boy in Kaduna State following a gun duel between police operatives and bandits. The victim was rescued unharmed and reunited with the truck driver, while efforts are ongoing to recover the stolen truck and arrest the fleeing suspects.
In Kogi State, a joint security team rescued four kidnap victims during bush combing operations. The victims were safely reunited with their families, while security operatives have intensified the manhunt for the fleeing kidnappers.
Enugu State also recorded significant operational successes as five suspects were arrested with firearms, live cartridges and motorcycles during a joint operation. The police further rescued an abducted church official, although efforts are still underway to secure the release of other victims believed to be in captivity.
In Anambra State, detectives arrested a suspected notorious kidnapper and armed robbery suspect believed to be responsible for several abductions. According to the police, the suspect confessed to involvement in multiple kidnapping operations, while mobile phones recovered from him contained incriminating videos and operational voice notes.
In Taraba State, police operatives arrested a suspected kidnapper allegedly linked to a notorious criminal gang. The suspect reportedly confessed during interrogation and provided intelligence that is expected to aid the arrest of other gang members.
Meanwhile, in Akwa Ibom State, four suspects were arrested during a raid on a criminal hideout where large quantities of suspected illicit drugs were recovered. The police also arrested two additional suspects in connection with an ongoing investigation into a high profile kidnapping case.
The Nigeria Police Force said all the cases have been transferred to the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments for further investigation and prosecution, while security operations have been intensified across the affected states to dismantle criminal networks and enhance public safety.
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