The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has recorded significant successes in its ongoing nationwide campaign against violent crime, with several arrests, recoveries and rescue operations carried out within the last 24 hours.
According to the police, operatives arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN commander, a man accused of posing as a military officer while allegedly engaging in banditry, rescued a kidnapped farmer, and apprehended suspects linked to rape, illegal possession of firearms and vandalism.
The operations, conducted across multiple states, also resulted in the recovery of firearms, live ammunition, military uniforms, stolen electrical materials and other items believed to be connected to criminal activities.
In Enugu State, security operatives arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN leader, Chinonso Umeh, also known as “Onye Army,” during a coordinated operation carried out in neighbouring Imo State. Officers recovered an AK-47 rifle, a revolver pistol, various rounds of ammunition and charms from the suspect.
In a separate operation within Enugu, police patrol teams arrested Asanya Nnamdi and Abugu Tochukwu for allegedly moving around with dangerous weapons. Recovered from them were a pump-action gun, 22 live cartridges, a knife, an Allen key and ₦239,200, which investigators suspect may be proceeds of criminal activities. The State Criminal Investigation Department has commenced an investigation into the case.
In Kano State, detectives arrested 28-year-old Muhammad Isa, who allegedly disguised himself as a military officer and is suspected of having links to banditry. Two other suspects, identified as Atiku and Alhassan, reportedly escaped during the operation and are currently being tracked. Police recovered an AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, an additional 79 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two military uniforms, three military caps, a suspected fake military identity card, desert boots, ATM cards and a national identity card.
In Oyo State, police officers, working alongside the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters, successfully rescued kidnapped farmer Owoade Mathew after extensive search operations in the bush. The victim was reunited with his family, while investigations into the kidnapping and a related armed robbery case are ongoing.
In Cross River State, detectives arrested Henry Erim for allegedly raping a woman. The victim was taken to Cottage Hospital in Akpet Central for medical examination, while the suspect reportedly confessed during questioning. He remains in police custody as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, in Ogun State, police investigating an armed robbery incident in Simawa arrested Mubarak Ibrahim and Mohammed Yusuf at the Ogere trailer park market over allegations of vandalising and stealing electrical infrastructure. Officers recovered stolen electrical conductors and other electrical equipment. The suspects are expected to be charged in court after investigations are concluded.
In Zamfara State, tactical police teams, working with other security agencies, launched coordinated operations along suspected escape routes after bandits attacked Geba village, with the State Criminal Investigation Department in Gusau taking over the case.
Similarly, detectives in Niger State have begun investigations into a double homicide at Woko village after evacuating the victims’ bodies to the General Hospital in New Bussa for autopsy while efforts continue to identify and arrest those responsible.
