The Nigeria Police Force has reported the rescue of nine kidnapped victims, arrests of several suspected criminals and recovery of firearms and a stolen vehicle in a series of operations across the country within the last 24 hours.
The operational achievements, contained in a situation report issued on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, covered incidents recorded in Benue, Kwara, Sokoto, Enugu, Ekiti, Bauchi, Kaduna, Cross River and Nasarawa states.
In Benue State, police operatives rescued eight kidnapped victims during intensive search-and-rescue operations in Omla Forest, Ankpechi Ogobia Community, Ohimini Local Government Area.
The victims were reportedly abducted when gunmen attacked a commercial bus. They were subsequently evacuated for medical attention.
However, one of the victims, identified as 34-year-old Uche Okike, reportedly died from gunshot injuries sustained during the initial attack. The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi, is investigating the incident.
In Kwara State, police, working with military and vigilante personnel, rescued a kidnapped victim following an armed attack in the Idofin Aiyekale area of Okero Local Government Area.
The incident occurred while a search was being conducted for two persons who had entered the bush. One person was fatally injured during the attack, while two others escaped unhurt.
The rescued victim reportedly escaped from his abductors before being located by the joint security team and was subsequently reunited with his family.
In Sokoto State, police and military personnel repelled an attack by armed bandits on Bagayawa Village in Wamakko Local Government Area during Maulud celebrations.
The attackers, reportedly numbering a large group and armed with sophisticated weapons, allegedly opened fire sporadically, leaving two persons fatally injured and two others with gunshot wounds.
The bandits also reportedly rustled an unspecified number of domestic animals.
Police tactical teams, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Vigilance Community Response Unit and Army personnel were deployed to the area, while joint patrols continued in an effort to identify and arrest the perpetrators.
In Enugu State, police operatives raided the hideout of a wanted armed robbery suspect and arrested 38-year-old Chukwujekwu Chukwuemeka.
A cut-to-size pump-action firearm and one round of live ammunition were recovered from the suspect, while the SCID, Enugu, is handling the investigation.
In Ekiti State, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad arrested 25-year-old Fasipe Ilesanmi Ezekiel following information about a gang of suspected cultists allegedly armed with axes and other dangerous weapons and causing a disturbance in Ado-Ekiti.
Police said one person sustained a deep cut injury in an alleged attempted murder, while two others were reportedly held hostage before the arrival of the police.
In a separate operation in Ekiti, police arrested 30-year-old Samson Jika following a report of threats to life arising from a debt-related dispute at Olumilua Camp, Ikere-Ekiti.
A locally made pistol was reportedly recovered from his possession.
In Bauchi State, police arrested 22-year-old Audu Babangida following a farm-related altercation at Kafin Sarkin Yaki, Kirfi Local Government Area.
The incident allegedly resulted in the death of 25-year-old Haruna Bala, who sustained a fatal knife injury. Police said the knife allegedly used in the attack was recovered.
In Kaduna State, police arrested 25-year-old Usman Dankawu Lauwali in connection with an armed robbery at Rijana, Kachia Local Government Area.
According to the police, the suspect confessed to participating in the robbery. Investigators are continuing efforts to apprehend other suspects who reportedly fled with the stolen items.
Similarly, in Cross River State, police tracked and arrested Ushie Joseph at his hideout following an alleged armed robbery at Effraya Village, Etung Local Government Area.
Police said efforts were ongoing to recover the locally fabricated pistol allegedly used in the robbery and the money reportedly stolen during the attack.
Meanwhile, in Nasarawa State, police detectives recovered a 2017 Toyota Corolla allegedly stolen during an armed robbery in Abuja.
The vehicle was tracked to New Nyanya, where it was recovered. Police said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects using CCTV footage and other investigative leads.
The Force said the various cases remained under investigation by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments, with efforts continuing to apprehend fleeing suspects, recover stolen property and bring those responsible for the incidents to justice.