The Nigeria Police Force has achieved significant operational successes across seven states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rescuing five kidnapped victims, securing the escape of two other abductees, and arresting seven suspects within the last 24 hours. According to the Force's latest state-by-state security update, the operations also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, 15 rounds of live ammunition, and a stolen vehicle. The update was made available to journalists in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anthony Iniedu.
In Katsina State, police tactical teams, working alongside local hunters, rescued five kidnapped victims following a gun battle with suspected bandits who invaded Daguda and Makwanta villages in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area. The incident occurred at about 10:12 p.m. on November 2, 2026, following a distress call reporting the invasion. The joint security team strategically blocked the attackers' escape routes and engaged them in a gun duel, forcing the bandits to flee into the surrounding bush with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
A subsequent cordon-and-search operation in Katsina State led to the rescue of five victims, comprising three females and two males. Three of the rescued victims, who sustained leg injuries, were evacuated to the General Hospital, Dutsin-Ma, for medical attention. In Nasarawa State, two kidnapped victims, Precious Emmanuel Anzaku and Royal Saleh, escaped from their abductors and returned home safely on November 2. The victims were abducted during an armed attack on Haske Baptist Church on October 27, 2026.
In Nasarawa State, police operatives evacuated the two escaped victims to the General Hospital, Garaku, for medical examination and treatment. They are expected to undergo debriefing to provide useful intelligence that could assist ongoing operations to track down and arrest the fleeing kidnappers. In another operation in Nasarawa State, police arrested two suspected armed robbers, Abba Suleiman, 24, and Usman Idris, 19, over an attack at Zone 4 Estate, Masaka, during which a victim was dispossessed of an iPhone 13 valued at ₦450,000.
In Ogun State, police arrested a suspected child abductor following reports of suspicious activities involving three men approaching students of Orile Ilugun Comprehensive High School in Odeda Local Government Area. The incident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on November 3, when the school's principal alerted the police after the men allegedly approached students and offered them money under questionable circumstances. A commercial motorcyclist who observed their activities raised the alarm, leading to the apprehension of one of the suspects, identified as Olamilekan Owoade.
In Adamawa State, a joint police and local hunters' tactical team recovered an AK-47 rifle and 15 rounds of live ammunition during an operation at the Shigadaniyya Mountains in Sugu District, Ganye Local Government Area. The operation, conducted on November 2 at about 5:20 p.m., was aimed at dislodging suspected kidnappers from their hideouts. The suspects reportedly engaged the advancing security team in a gun duel but were forced to retreat into the mountain forest following superior police firepower.
In Anambra State, police arrested a truck driver, identified as Awalite Chinonso, following a fatal road accident involving a motorcycle and a white MAN diesel dump truck along Umunze–Umuchu Road. The accident occurred on November 3 at about 6:05 p.m. Police operatives who responded to the incident arrested the truck driver and recovered the vehicle, which was towed to the station for safekeeping and inspection by Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO). CSP Anthony Iniedu stated that the operational successes reflect the Nigeria Police Force's continued commitment to crime prevention, intelligence-led policing, and the protection of lives and property.
Key points
- Five kidnapped victims were rescued in Katsina State.
- Seven suspects were arrested in multiple operations across seven states and the Federal Capital Territory.
- An AK-47 rifle and 15 rounds of live ammunition were recovered in Adamawa State.
