The Nigeria Police Force has recorded major operational successes across several states between August 30 and September 1, 2026, including the rescue of 21 abducted victims in Kogi State and the foiling of bandit attacks in Zamfara and Katsina.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, ANIPR, disclosed this in the State-by-State Executive Summary of Nigerian Police Operational Successes released in Abuja on Today.

In Kogi State, joint security forces on August 31, 2026 combed the forest behind Agumi and engaged kidnappers in a gun duel. The superior firepower forced the assailants to flee, leading to the rescue of 21 victims, comprising 14 NYSC corps members and 7 civilians. The victims were debriefed and injured persons rushed to hospital. The case is under investigation at SCID Lokoja.

In Zamfara, security operatives on August 30 responded to an ambush on a passenger truck by armed bandits who abducted all passengers and set the vehicle ablaze. Police and other forces engaged the bandits, forcing them to flee into the forest with suspected gunshot injuries. All abducted victims were rescued unhurt. Investigation is ongoing at SCID Gusau.

In Katsina, Police VCRU personnel and vigilantes on August 31 disrupted an attempted cattle rustling operation at Sha’iskawa Village. The team engaged the bandits and later re-engaged them at Karofawa Village, flushing them out with suspected gunshot injuries. No casualties or loss of property were recorded. The matter is being handled by SCID Katsina.

Other arrests and recoveries were also made across the country. In Plateau, operatives arrested Buba Abdulkarim at Gwaram Village, Wase LGA, and recovered one AK-47 rifle loaded with two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. In Abia, two suspects including Chikwado Precious, 27, were arrested in Umuahia with a locally made pistol concealed in a Chevrolet car.

In Bayelsa, Police recovered a locally made revolver pistol loaded with three rounds of live ammunition after suspects fled a residence in Yenagoa. In Oyo, three suspects were arrested over a youth clash in Mapo, Ibadan, that left one dead, with a pump-action rifle and cartridges recovered. A separate suspect, Yusuff Muhammed, was also arrested in connection with a fatal machete attack during a naming ceremony in Okaka.

In Ogun, detectives arrested Victor Obilor and Kabiru Umar over alleged defilement of a nine-year-old girl and indecent assault of an 11-year-old girl. The victims were taken to hospital for medical examination.

The Force also provided security coverage for the North-Central Regional Security Summit in Benue, which ended peacefully, and in Rivers, restored calm after a protest over a fatal shooting. The Commissioner of Police addressed protesters and assured justice, while an orderly room trial has commenced against the affected personnel.