Police Arrest 1,198 Suspects, Rescue 166 Kidnap Victims In One Month
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced the arrest of 1,198 suspected criminals across the country and the rescue of 166 kidnap victims within a six-week period.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu disclosed this on Tuesday during the Force's monthly conference with strategic senior officers.
He said the achievements were recorded between June 9 and July 21, 2026, as part of intensified intelligence-led operations against violent crime nationwide.
According to the IGP, those arrested include 151 suspects linked to murder and culpable homicide, 117 for armed robbery, 151 for kidnapping, 104 suspected cultists, and 169 individuals accused of unlawful possession of firearms, among others.
He added that police operatives also recovered 166 assorted firearms, 1,475 rounds of ammunition of different calibres, and 47 stolen vehicles during the operations.
Disu highlighted the recent rescue of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State as a major operational success, describing it as evidence of effective collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and members of the public.
He noted that the operation underscored the importance of intelligence gathering, careful planning and inter-agency cooperation in combating insecurity.
The police chief, however, cautioned officers against complacency, stressing that every success should serve as motivation to improve performance.
"We cannot let a success like Oyo breed complacency. Every achievement should push us to improve further, not to relax," he said.
The IGP directed commissioners of police to develop command-specific security strategies tailored to the realities of their respective states, emphasizing that all operational deployments should be guided by credible intelligence rather than routine practices.
Meanwhile, Disu also decorated 30 newly promoted senior officers, comprising 13 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and 17 Commissioners of Police (CPs).
He urged the officers to justify their promotions through exemplary leadership, integrity and professionalism as they confront terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, cybercrime and other security challenges facing the country.
According to him, the promotions represent both recognition of years of dedicated service and a vote of confidence in the officers' ability to provide effective leadership in a demanding security environment.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu disclosed this on Tuesday during the Force's monthly conference with strategic senior officers.
He said the achievements were recorded between June 9 and July 21, 2026, as part of intensified intelligence-led operations against violent crime nationwide.
According to the IGP, those arrested include 151 suspects linked to murder and culpable homicide, 117 for armed robbery, 151 for kidnapping, 104 suspected cultists, and 169 individuals accused of unlawful possession of firearms, among others.
He added that police operatives also recovered 166 assorted firearms, 1,475 rounds of ammunition of different calibres, and 47 stolen vehicles during the operations.
Disu highlighted the recent rescue of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State as a major operational success, describing it as evidence of effective collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and members of the public.
He noted that the operation underscored the importance of intelligence gathering, careful planning and inter-agency cooperation in combating insecurity.
The police chief, however, cautioned officers against complacency, stressing that every success should serve as motivation to improve performance.
"We cannot let a success like Oyo breed complacency. Every achievement should push us to improve further, not to relax," he said.
The IGP directed commissioners of police to develop command-specific security strategies tailored to the realities of their respective states, emphasizing that all operational deployments should be guided by credible intelligence rather than routine practices.
Meanwhile, Disu also decorated 30 newly promoted senior officers, comprising 13 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and 17 Commissioners of Police (CPs).
He urged the officers to justify their promotions through exemplary leadership, integrity and professionalism as they confront terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, cybercrime and other security challenges facing the country.
According to him, the promotions represent both recognition of years of dedicated service and a vote of confidence in the officers' ability to provide effective leadership in a demanding security environment.
