The Nigeria Police Force has announced a major breakthrough in its nationwide fight against crime, revealing that 1,198 criminal suspects were arrested while 166 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued during coordinated operations carried out across the country.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s successor, IGP Olatunji Disu, disclosed the achievements during a strategic meeting with senior police officers, describing the operations as a reflection of the Force’s renewed commitment to tackling kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, murder and other violent crimes through intelligence-led policing. The operations were conducted between June 9 and July 21, 2026.
According to the police, the 1,198 suspects were arrested for various offences, including murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms, cult-related activities and other serious crimes. The Inspector-General said the successes were made possible through improved intelligence gathering, coordinated tactical operations and stronger collaboration with other security agencies and local communities...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The Force also recovered a significant cache of weapons and ammunition during the operations, including dozens of firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and several stolen vehicles. Police authorities believe the recoveries have disrupted the activities of criminal gangs operating in different parts of the country and prevented further attacks on innocent citizens.
IGP Disu praised officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force for their dedication and professionalism, particularly highlighting the recent rescue of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State as an example of successful collaboration between the police, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and members of the public. He noted that such partnerships remain crucial in the ongoing effort to improve security nationwide.
Despite the latest achievements, the Inspector-General acknowledged that security challenges remain and assured Nigerians that the police would sustain aggressive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements. He reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to protecting lives and property while urging citizens to continue providing credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing and solving crimes.
The latest operational report underscores the Nigeria Police Force’s determination to strengthen internal security through intelligence-driven policing, rapid response operations and inter-agency cooperation. Police authorities expressed confidence that continued collaboration with the public and other security institutions will further reduce criminal activities and enhance safety across the country.
