The Nigeria Police Force announced the successful rescue of 17 abducted individuals, the interception of a suspected Boko Haram assault, and the recovery of multiple firearms and ammunition during security raids spanning four states over the past 72 hours.
The operations, conducted between November 10 and 12, 2026, also resulted in the death of two suspected insurgents in Adamawa State and a suspected kidnapper in Ogun State.
In its operational update, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the successes were recorded in Kano, Adamawa, Ogun and Benue states.
In Kano State, police operatives rescued Alhaji Abdullahi Fanka, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman of Rogo Local Government Area, after 68 days in kidnappers’ captivity.
Fanka was abducted on September 1, 2026, and rescued unhurt on November 8 following an intelligence-led operation by the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.
Police said the principal suspect, 25-year-old Shu’aibu Sulaiman, also known as Lemu, was arrested on October 18 at Kwanar Dangora in Kiru Local Government Area.
His confession reportedly led to the arrest of another syndicate member, identified as Mansur Usman.
An AK-47 rifle and 18 rounds of live ammunition were recovered, while the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bompai, is investigating the case.
In Adamawa State, police and military operatives foiled a suspected Boko Haram attack on a military Forward Operating Base at Zangula Junction, Guyaku District, Gombi Local Government Area.
The incident occurred on November 10 when troops of the 226 Battalion, Gombi, acting on intelligence, laid an ambush for insurgents attempting to attack the military facility.
The attackers, suspected to have advanced from Hawul Forest in neighbouring Borno State, engaged the troops in a firefight before retreating.
A joint team comprising military personnel, police officers, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and Forest Guards subsequently combed the area.
Two insurgent bodies and two AK-47 rifles were recovered.
The SCID in Yola is investigating the incident.
In Ogun State, police rescued 10 passengers abducted from a New Edo Line bus at Orita Fufu, Awa Ijebu, on November 3.
The victims regained their freedom unhurt on November 7 under police surveillance.
Following their rescue, anti-kidnapping operatives raided the suspects’ hideout along the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode Road in the early hours of November 8.
Police said the suspects engaged the operatives in a gun battle, during which one suspected kidnapper was neutralised, while four others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Recovered exhibits included an AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, ₦1,376,800 in cash and a mobile phone.
The SCID, Eleweran, is handling the investigation.
In Benue State, police and other security operatives rescued five people abducted by armed bandits in Utange Village, Tor-Donga District, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
The victims were kidnapped on November 8 when the gang, reportedly loyal to a notorious bandit leader identified as Konyo, attacked the community.
Police patrol teams, Mobile Police Force personnel and operatives of Operation Whirl Stroke mobilised to the area and launched a forest search operation.
Although all five victims were initially rescued, three who sustained severe injuries during the attack died while being taken to hospital. The remaining two were rescued unhurt.
The police said additional tactical teams had been deployed to track down the fleeing attackers and dismantle their camps.
The SCID in Makurdi is investigating the incident.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the operations reflected ongoing efforts by the police and other security agencies to combat kidnapping, terrorism and violent crimes across the country.
What You Should Know
Recent nationwide security sweeps by the Nigeria Police Force and allied military personnel have led to the rescue of several kidnapped citizens, including a prominent political party chairman in Kano State, while also dismantling insurgent and bandit cells across Adamawa, Ogun, and Benue states.
- Positive Impact: Enhanced proactive intelligence and joint security sweeps offer reassurance to citizens, demonstrating increased capability to dismantle kidnapping syndicates and neutralize terror threats before they escalate.
- Potential Concerns: The persistent involvement of armed gangs in rural and highway abductions highlights ongoing security vulnerabilities that continue to threaten civilian safety and regional stability.
