Police kill bandit, rescue seven, arrest 17 suspects in 10 states - Punch Newspapers

The Nigeria Police Force has reported a series of operational successes across 10 states, including the neutralisation of a suspected bandit, the rescue of seven victims and the arrest of suspected terrorists, kidnappers and murder suspects. The Force disclosed this in its state-by-state executive summary of operational successes released on its X handle on Wednesday, covering incidents recorded between September 21 and 22, 2026. In Benue State, police operatives supported by joint tactical forces responded to an armed bandit attack at Abeda Market in Logo Local Government Area on September 22. The police said, “One suspected bandit was successfully neutralised, while two others were arrested.” It added that “no casualty was recorded on the police side”, while the State Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi, continued investigations into the incident. In Katsina State, police operatives foiled an attack by armed bandits who intercepted a vehicle conveying six female students of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma along the Kankara-Dutsin-Ma Road on September 21. The Force said, “The bandits were successfully repelled and forced to flee into the bush with gunshot injuries.” It added that “all seven occupants of the vehicle were successfully rescued unhurt.”See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google According to the police, the rescued victims were medically evaluated and discharged before being reunited with the relevant authorities. In a separate operation in Katsina, the police said three suspects linked to an armed bandit syndicate were arrested. The Force said, “An attempted escape by the suspects was successfully foiled.” In Anambra State, four suspected members of an outlawed terrorist group were arrested during patrol operations in Okija Community on September 22. The police said, “The suspects confessed to membership of an outlawed terrorist group and provided useful information on the activities of the group.” Anambra flood: Pupil missing as police rescue nine Six kidnapped Katsina varsity students, driver rescued Police raid suspected Delta crime den, arrest five It added that “efforts have been intensified to apprehend fleeing members of the group.” Also in Anambra, police detectives arrested three suspects in connection with the death of a 34-year-old man at Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area. The Force said, “The victim’s remains were recovered and deposited at the morgue for autopsy.” In Nasarawa State, police operatives took custody of a suspected kidnapper following a citizens’ arrest. The police said, “The suspect confessed to involvement in several kidnapping incidents and is assisting ongoing investigation.” In Delta State, police operatives re-arrested a suspect allegedly found in possession of an illegal firearm. According to the Force, “One locally-made cut-to-size gun and one live cartridge were successfully recovered.” In Cross River State, detectives tracked and arrested a principal suspect in connection with the suspected murder of a 22-year-old woman. Similarly, in Oyo State, police detectives arrested a suspect in connection with the death of a 30-year-old man at Iwere-Ile. In Ogun State, detectives arrested a suspect in connection with an alleged defilement case. The police said, “The victim was successfully conveyed to a medical facility for examination.” The Force said the various cases were being investigated by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments in Makurdi, Katsina, Awka, Lafia, Asaba, Calabar, Ibadan and Eleweran. Olugbenga Ige Olugbenga Ige is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over nine years of professional reporting experience. He is known for his sharp eye for compelling stories and a strong instinct for identifying newsworthy developments. Over the years, Olugbenga has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.

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