Police recover 52 stolen vehicles, nab 177 criminals in one week — Official

Over the course of a single week, the Nigeria Police Force made significant strides in combating criminal activities across the nation. Between September 12 and 18, 2026, they recovered 52 stolen vehicles and apprehended 177 high-profile criminal suspects nationwide. Additionally, they rescued 25 kidnapped victims, seized 38 firearms and 2,578 rounds of live ammunition, while neutralizing 11 armed suspects during various operations.

Chief Superintendent of Police Ani Iniedu, the Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed these figures during a weekly operational briefing. Inyedu emphasized the force's intelligence-led and collaborative approach to tackling criminal activities. Notable successes included dismantling kidnapping camps in Kaduna State, where four kidnappers were neutralized, 12 suspects arrested, and two victims rescued.

In Imo State, police dislodged a camp linked to the Eastern Security Network, recovering an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and a hand grenade. Katsina State saw the rescue of three kidnapped women and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle following a gun battle with bandits. Delta State's police arrested four suspects for allegedly luring victims through TikTok, holding them captive, and accessing one victim's bank account.

Zamfara State reported the interception of three suspects, with 1,123 rounds of assorted ammunition recovered from a Toyota Corolla. Anambra State police rescued two kidnapped victims after pursuing five armed suspects who had abducted a woman.

Inyedu concluded by stating that the force would continue its relentless efforts to address threats to public safety and national security until all security challenges are neutralized.