Police arrest 12 suspects in nationwide operations, recover firearms and stolen property

Police arrest 12 suspects in nationwide operations, recover firearms and stolen property

From our journalist

Abuja (Core Reporters) – The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 12 suspects in connection with armed robbery, cultism and other criminal activities in Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti and Lagos states, also recovering firearms, stolen vehicles, valuables and other exhibits.

The arrests were recorded during police operations conducted between August 24 and 25, 2026, according to the state-by-state executive summary of operational successes released by the force’s public relations officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.

In Oyo State, two suspected cross-border armed robbers, identified as Adewale Abiola, 33, and Kabiru Abobarin, 36, alias KB, have been arrested following intelligence-led operations along the Ibadan-Ilorin Expressway.

The suspects were allegedly involved in the theft of exotic vehicles in Kwara and Oyo states. A stolen Lexus RX 350, four HP laptops, an iPhone 15 Pro Max, seven wristwatches and jewelry were recovered.

In Akwa Ibom State, five suspected armed robbers have been arrested by detectives of the Eagle Response Squad following investigations into an armed robbery incident. The suspects were reportedly identified through surveillance camera footage and confessed to the crime.

Two locally made pistols and two t-shirts allegedly worn during the operation were recovered.

Also, in Ekiti State, three suspected sectarians were arrested after police officers responded to an attack by armed hoodlums in Ijadu community.

A locally made single-barreled pistol, an axe, a spent cartridge case, charms and other exhibits were recovered, while efforts are underway to arrest other members of the fleeing group, including the alleged leader.

In Lagos State, police officers arrested another suspected armed robber during a stop and search operation in Alakija. A prototype rifle, two Android phones suspected of theft, cash and other exhibits were recovered.

The Force also reported ongoing rescue and tracking operations following separate incidents of kidnapping in Oyo, the Federal Capital Territory, Bauchi and Zamfara states.

In Oyo, the police, Amotekun corps, vigilantes and local hunters have been mobilized following the kidnapping of a resident in Taaju settlement, Iseyin, while the command’s anti-kidnapping squad has joined the operation.

In the FCT, police and local vigilantes have launched a joint tracking operation after a 51-year-old man was kidnapped in Bobota village, Kwali. Three empty K-2 ammunition shells were recovered at the scene.

Similarly, in Bauchi State, police officers and anti-kidnapping unit launched a rescue operation after a woman was abducted from her residence in Lamba village, Itas/Gadau Local Government Area.

In Zamfara, tactical teams and other security agencies launched search and chase operations following multiple attacks and kidnappings along the Fegin Mahe–Mada and Shemori–Mada roads, as well as a separate attack on Take Tsaba village.

Police also recovered two stolen cows in Gombe State following an armed robbery in Pata, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, while an abandoned Toyota Prado was recovered in Mpape, Abuja, after its unidentified owner failed to return for it.

The Force said the various cases remain under investigation by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments, with efforts underway to apprehend fleeing suspects, rescue kidnapped victims and recover further stolen property.

The latest operational figures bring the number of suspects arrested in the reported operations to 12, including two in Oyo, five in Akwa Ibom, three in Ekiti and one each in Lagos and the FCT.