Police Arrest 12 Suspects in Nationwide Operations, Recover Firearms, Stolen Property

Police Arrest 12 Suspects in Nationwide Operations, Recover Firearms, Stolen Property

By Our Reporter

Abuja (Core Reporters) – The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 12 suspects in connection with armed robbery, cultism and other criminal activities across Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti and Lagos States, while 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 Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.

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

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

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

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

Also, in Ekiti State, three suspected cultists were arrested after police operatives responded to an attack by armed hoodlums in Ijadu Community.

A locally made single-barrel gun, an axe, an expended cartridge shell, charms and other exhibits were recovered, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group, including the alleged leader.

In Lagos State, police operatives arrested another suspected armed robber during a stop-and-search operation at Alakija. A prototype shotgun, two suspected stolen Android phones, cash and other exhibits were recovered.

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

In Oyo, police, Amotekun Corps, vigilantes and local hunters were mobilised following the abduction of a resident at Taaju Settlement, Iseyin, while the Command Anti-Kidnapping Squad joined the operation.

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

Similarly, in Bauchi State, police operatives and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit commenced a rescue operation after a woman was abducted from her residence at Lamba Village, Itas/Gadau Local Government Area.

In Zamfara, tactical teams and other security agencies launched search and pursuit operations following multiple attacks and abductions along the Fegin Mahe–Mada and Shemori–Mada roads, as well as a separate attack at Take Tsaba Village.

The police also recovered two stolen cows in Gombe State following an armed robbery attack 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 ongoing to arrest fleeing suspects, rescue abducted victims and recover additional stolen property.

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