The Osun State Police Command has announced the arrest of 12 suspects involved in various crimes including armed robbery, cultism and kidnapping, following a series of intelligence-led operations across the state.

Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed this during a press briefing held at the State Command Headquarters, Ring Road, Osogbo on Wednesday.

The briefing was held to highlight recent achievements recorded by the command.

Gotan said the arrests and recoveries were the results of the Command’s proactive strategies and sustained intelligence gathering.

According to him, “Five suspected armed robbers were arrested for their involvement in multiple car thefts and robberies, leading to the recovery of four vehicles and several mobile phones.

“The suspects, identified as Yemi Ariyo (ring leader), Oke Temitope, Odewale Olajide, Imisi Ajewole, and Obanla Peter (receiver), were arrested at various locations in Osogbo and Abuja between 5 and 6 September 2025.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include a Toyota Avalon car with registration number KWL 690 BW, a Toyota Venza, a Lexus ES 300, and an unregistered Toyota Camry 2010 model. Other recovered items are nine mobile phones, including several iPhones and Samsung devices.”

Gotan stated that the arrests followed a report by a victim who was attacked with a cutlass and robbed of his phone and car.

He also revealed that the suspects confessed to several car thefts in Osogbo before their arrest.

“Our Anti-Robbery Section acted swiftly, tracked the suspects to their hideouts, and successfully arrested them. Since the apprehension of these syndicates, cases of car theft have reduced drastically,” the CP added.

In another operation, three suspected cultists, 32 year old Jackson Enwerem, 26 year old Ridwan Alowode and 28 year old Ademiju Oludare, were arrested in Ilesa and Osogbo for unlawful possession of firearms and membership of a proscribed group.

A locally made Marcarov pistol with an empty magazine was recovered from one of the suspects, who confessed to being a member of the Alora/Vikings confraternity.

Gotan explained that the Anti-Cultism Unit acted on credible intelligence to raid criminal hideouts, resulting in the arrests.

“We are intensifying efforts to arrest other fleeing members of these deadly groups,” he said.

The CP also confirmed the arrest of a suspected armed robber and kidnapper, identified as 28 year old Adedeji Ibrahim in Apomu.

Items recovered from him include an unlicensed single-barrel gun, two motorcycles, one red Golf salon car, camouflage uniforms, and a total sum of N9.54 million.

According to the police, “N8.12 million of the total amount was traced to the suspect’s bank account. He was also found in possession of military wear and a sword, which raises suspicion of impersonation.”

The police also arrested four men;
– 35 year old, Lamidi Dada, 21 year old, Lamidi Wasiu, 29 year old Adeleke Jamiu and 34 year old Yunusa Sodiq, for conspiracy and theft of a motorcycle valued at N1.3 million.

Gotan said the suspects were traced to Ibadan following a report made at the Ikire Area Command.

“The stolen motorcycle has yet to be recovered, but investigations are ongoing to apprehend the final buyer,” he confirmed.

Gotan, who reported that two firearms were recovered, alongside five vehicles, two motorcycles, nine phones, and the sum of N9.5 million, added that all the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.

The Bauchi State Police Command has foiled a kidnapping attempt in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state, rescuing two victims unhurt and arresting three suspects linked to the crime.

Spokesman of the Command, CSP Mohammed Wakil, revealed in a statement issued on Wednesday that the incident occurred on September 28, 2025, at about 1:00 am when armed men stormed Maso Kano village in Jada Pali district, Alkaleri LGA.

The attackers, armed with AK-47 rifles, were said to have abducted two residents identified as Hambali Alh. Sa’adu, 50, and Jari Sa’adu, 35.

Wakil explained that the police acted swiftly on a distress call from the community. A combined team of well-trained police operatives and local hunters mobilized to the scene and confronted the kidnappers.

“The suspects, faced with superior firepower and tactical resistance, abandoned their victims and fled the scene,” Wakil said.

The victims were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families.

Following intensive investigations conducted between September 29 and 30, 2025, the Command tracked down and arrested three suspects: Adamu Ahmadu (28), Bello Alhaji Musa (18), and Adamu Alhaji Musa (29), all from Shalhori village near Kirfi LGA.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the foiled abduction.

They further revealed that they conspired with three other accomplices, who are currently on the run, with the intention of demanding ransom from the victims’ families.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives and hunters for their courage, professionalism, and swift response.

He directed that the case be handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

Aliyu reassured residents of Bauchi State that the Command remains committed to protecting lives and property, urging communities to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing credible information that can aid the fight against crime.

“The Command will not relent in pursuing these criminal elements until every accomplice is arrested and brought to justice,” Aliyu assured.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested five suspected human traffickers and rescued 24 victims in a major trafficking operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The Director-General of the agency, Binta Adamu Bello, personally led the raid on Wednesday after receiving intelligence about the arrival of suspected traffickers and their victims at the airport.

In a statement issued after the operation, NAPTIP’s spokesperson, Vincent Adekoye, revealed that a retired senior security officer, who is considered as a prominent member of the trafficking syndicate, was among those arrested.

The statement further revealed the syndicate is believed to have been recruiting from several states in the South-West.

According to Adekoye, the operation lasted almost six hours, during which the suspected traffickers were rounded up and 24 victims were rescued.

“The victims, mostly aged between 15 and 26, had been recruited from Kano, Katsina, Oyo, Ondo and Rivers States. Their final destinations included Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Afghanistan.” The statement revealed.

Some of the victims told officials they were deceived with promises of well-paying jobs abroad. One of them, who thought she was heading to Europe, said her parents encouraged her to accept the offer. Another victim, visibly shaken after watching awareness clips of stranded Nigerians abroad, accused her father of tricking her into the journey.

DG Bello condemned the increasing activities of illegal recruiters and traffickers who, she said, prey on the desperation of young Nigerians. She stressed that the agency would intensify surveillance not only at airports but also in motor parks and coastal areas where traffickers often operate.

She vowed that all those arrested would be prosecuted while the rescued victims would undergo rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.