By Fatima Abdullahi
The Nigeria Police Force recorded a series of operational successes across Rivers, Sokoto, Plateau, Nasarawa, Katsina, Benue states and the Federal Capital Territory within the last 24 hours, leading to the arrest of criminal suspects, recovery of firearms, stolen vehicles, rustled cattle, suspected illicit drugs, and the rescue of kidnap victims.
In Rivers State, operatives arrested a notorious armed robbery suspect identified as Kelvin Tamunu, popularly known as “Jagaplus,” during a raid on a criminal hideout at Abonnema Waterside in Port Harcourt. Police said the suspect confessed to several armed robbery and burglary operations, including the attack and attempted murder of a retired police officer at Abacha Link Road, New GRA, Port Harcourt, on May 6, 2026. Two pump-action rifles and nine live cartridges were recovered during the operation. The suspect, who sustained injuries during the raid, is receiving medical treatment while detectives continue efforts to apprehend other fleeing gang members.
In Sokoto State, police foiled an attack by suspected Lakurawa bandits on Ayawa Village in Tangaza Local Government Area. The attackers had rustled 11 cows before tactical teams, anti-kidnapping operatives and members of the Village Crime Reduction Unit intercepted them. Following a gun duel, the bandits fled into a nearby forest, abandoning the stolen animals, which were recovered for return to their rightful owners. No casualties were recorded, while security has been reinforced across the area.
In Plateau State, police recovered a 2022 Toyota Hilux stolen from a residence in Kwata Zawan, Jos South Local Government Area. The vehicle was tracked to Bauchi State, leading to the arrest of two suspects, Ibrahim Tijjani and Mohammed Umar, both residents of Jos North Local Government Area.
In Nasarawa State, police operatives successfully foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Akwanga–Jos Road at Andaha after engaging suspected kidnappers in a gun battle. The suspects fled into the bush under heavy police fire, while all kidnapped victims were rescued unharmed. Items looted from a nearby shop were also recovered. Joint security teams comprising the police, military, vigilantes and local hunters have launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.
In Katsina State, operatives arrested a suspected trans-border drug trafficker, Ibrahim Usman, along the Mashi–Birnin Kuka border corridor. The suspect, said to be from Tahoua State in the Niger Republic, was found in possession of 28 blocks of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis. Police said he confessed to transporting the illicit consignment from Lagos for distribution in both Nigeria and the Niger Republic, while investigations continue to uncover the wider trafficking network.
In the Federal Capital Territory, police arrested a suspect identified as Salihu Yusuf, who was allegedly found with two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed in charms, suspected cannabis and other charms. The suspect reportedly claimed to be a dismissed soldier but failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the items in his possession. Police also recovered a stolen BMW X6 and impounded a Mercedes-Benz E350 suspected to have been stolen.
Meanwhile, in Benue State, the Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu, led an intelligence-driven clearance operation in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area. During the operation, security operatives uncovered a suspected bandits’ camp and engaged the criminals in a gun battle, forcing them to flee into forests bordering Nasarawa and Taraba states. No casualties were recorded among police personnel, while efforts to sustain the offensive against criminal groups continue.
The Nigeria Police Force said investigations into the various cases are ongoing at the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments.
