Police Arrest 16 In Nationwide Crackdown

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested at least 16 suspects in separate operations across eight states over various alleged crimes.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a state-by-state statement released on Sunday.

The arrests covered alleged kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, sexual offences, cultism and drug-related activities.

In Oyo State, police arrested four suspects during separate operations between September 17 and 18.

One suspect was arrested on September 18 for allegedly belonging to a kidnapping syndicate in Kanbi Village.

Two others were also arrested for allegedly concealing kidnapping activities.

Police also arrested a serving member of a sister security agency over an alleged armed robbery and abduction in Ibadan on September 17.

A blue Toyota Camry allegedly used in the operation was recovered by police operatives.

Two suspects were also arrested by the police over alleged sexual offences in Oyo State.

One of them was arrested over the alleged sexual assault of a three-year-old girl in Saki.

Police recovered a blood-stained boxer short and a Panasonic tape as exhibits in the case.

The victim was taken to hospital for medical treatment.

In Delta State, police arrested six suspects in three separate operations.

One suspect was arrested on September 18 over the alleged defilement of a minor in Ughelli South Local Government Area.

Another suspect was arrested over the alleged defilement of an eight-year-old girl at Okwagbe Waterside Community in the same area.

“Operatives also arrested three suspects during a raid on a criminal black spot at Umusadege, Kwale in Delta State, for suspected drug trafficking and cult-related activities,” Iniedu said.

In Kogi State, police arrested two suspects in separate operations.

One was arrested over a fatal shooting at Ohunene Community in Ajaokuta Local Government Area on September 19.

Police recovered a gun allegedly linked to the shooting.

Another suspect was arrested following a reported missing-person case in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area.

In Kano State, police arrested a woman on September 18 over the death of her husband at Katsalle Quarters in Rogo Local Government Area.

Meanwhile, in Bayelsa State, police moved a murder suspect to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yenagoa for protective custody.

The move followed unrest in Ebedebiri, Sagbama Local Government Area, on September 20.

Tactical teams were deployed to the community to restore law and order.

The police said the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments were investigating the cases.

They are also working to identify other people linked to the alleged offences.

The Force said the operations were part of efforts to act on credible intelligence and disrupt criminal activities across the affected states.