Nasarawa Police Begin Forest Raids to Flush Out Bandits and Kidnappers

Nasarawa Police Launch Forest Operation Against Bandits and Kidnappers

The Nasarawa State Police Command has commenced a special operation to flush out bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminals staying in forests across the state. [1] The state Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Mohammed, flagged off the operation on Wednesday in Lafia while addressing operatives before moving into Alagye Forest in the Doma Local Government Area of the State. [1] According to Mohammed, the exercise was in compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to enhance security and restore lasting peace in the state. [1] He revealed that tactical squads, anti-kidnapping units and intelligence operatives had been deployed to identified flashpoints and forest corridors. [1] He stated that the operation would continue till the end of December, charging officers involved to display professionalism and adhere strictly to rules of engagement. [1]

Operational Structure and Call for Public Assistance

To ensure effective coordination, the CP said the state had been subdivided into three operational sectors. [1] “Sector A, which covers Lafia zone, is under ACP Lamidu Alkali, Squadron Commander of MOPOL 58, Lafia. Sector B, covering Akwanga zone, is headed by ACP Kadir Umar, Squadron Commander of MOPOL 38, Akwanga, while Sector C, covering Keffi zone, is led by ACP Olobekga Saligo, Squadron Commander of MOPOL 69, Toto,” he said. [1] He further disclosed that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Sanusi Jidda, would coordinate activities across all three sectors for the successful dismantling of criminal camps. [1] Mohammed appealed to residents to volunteer timely and credible information on suspicious movements, assuring that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality. [1] He urged the public to remain law-abiding and go about their legitimate businesses, reiterating the command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property. [1]

Edo Police Announce Multiple Arrests for Murder and Sexual Offences

Officers of the Edo State Police Command have arrested 18 suspects for various crimes, including murder, defilement, armed robbery, car theft and cultism. [2] According to a statement read by the Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, at a media parley on Wednesday, two suspects were arrested for murder, three for defilement, while four were arrested in connection with armed robbery and murder. [2] One suspect was arrested for car theft, two for armed robbery, and five for cultism. [2] The CP said the arrests underscored the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, preventing crime, and maintaining peace and security across Edo State. [2] The statement read, “Two suspects have been arrested in connection with murder cases. In one of the cases, a female victim was allegedly murdered, had one of her breasts severed, and her corpse dumped by the roadside. Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court soon.” [2] “Three suspects are in the command’s custody in connection with sexual assault and defilement of minors, including a two-year-and-nine-month-old girl and a four-year-old child. The cases are being handled by the command’s Gender and Family Unit, and the suspects will soon appear in court.” [2]

Edo Dismantles Auchi Robbery Syndicate and Recovers Firearms

The Auchi Area Command has dismantled a criminal syndicate allegedly responsible for the robbery of the popular Paparazzi Communication Complex in Auchi on July 12, 2026, during which the security guard on duty was murdered, and properties worth over ₦400m were reportedly stolen. [2] The suspects are Hamisu Nuhu, male, aged 34, from Jattu, identified as the alleged mastermind of the robbery. Others are Suleiman Rabiu, Hussaini Gago and Ibrahim Haruna. [2] The statement further disclosed that operatives intercepted a Toyota Ultra bus belonging to GUO Transport Company along the Benin-Lagos Road on October 20, 2026, during a stop-and-search operation. [2] The bus, with registration number AGU721ZL, was driven by Godwin Emeka, 37. A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the recovery of 100 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 live ammunition, 50 rounds of 7.65mm-calibre ammunition, 200 rounds of 9mm-calibre ammunition and three bags containing substances suspected to be cannabis. [2] Louis, 40, identified as the transport company’s operational manager, was also arrested. [2] On August 31, 2026, operatives of the command arrested Osakpanwan Ekuase, male, aged 30, for allegedly stealing five vehicles from a mechanic workshop at Ogheghe Community, Benin City, where he reportedly posed as a worker. [2] On October 17, 2026, at about 22:00 hours, while operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) were gathering intelligence along Upper Siluko Road, Benin City, they received information that some cultists were planning to initiate new members into the cult. [2] The operatives consequently positioned themselves at a strategic point. [2] The operatives arrested Kevwe Kokori, who claimed to be a vigilante member but led an attack against the operatives. Others are Omoregbe Iguma, Gabriel Kokori and Emmanuel Friday. [2] Upon interrogation, they confessed to being members of the Eiye Secret Cult Confraternity. [2]

Delhi Investigators Trace Tiger Shroff Attack Weapons to Dead-Drop Delivery

The shooters involved in the attack on actor Tiger Shroff received their weapons through a “dead drop” arrangement on Oct 17, just a day before the incident. [3] Couriers Babita and Radha — who have since been arrested — were provided the weapons at New Delhi Railway Station by the main supplier, identified as Kunal. [3] Kunal, who has also been arrested, has emerged as a key character who had been in touch with gangsters Anil Pandit and Randeep Malik for over two months. [3] He had also figured as the source of the weapon used for the murder of a forex-hawala trader in Sonipat last year, sources said. [3] In this case, he was relaying the instructions from Pandit to the two women after dropping them at the station on Oct 15. [3] The women reached Mumbai on Oct 17, got off at Dadar and checked into a hotel. [3] Around 11am, one of the shooters collected the bag with the weapons at an isolated spot near the hotel, an official added. [3] The dead drop method — borrowed from spycraft — has increasingly surfaced in investigations involving terror modules, drug cartels and organised crime groups of late. [3]

Broader Police Actions Across States

The Nasarawa State Police Command has commenced a special operation to flush out bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminals staying in forests across the state. [1] Officers of the Edo State Police Command have arrested 18 suspects for various crimes, including murder, defilement, armed robbery, car theft and cultism. [2] The shooters involved in the attack on actor Tiger Shroff received their weapons through a “dead drop” arrangement on Oct 17, just a day before the incident. [3] The CP said the arrests underscored the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, preventing crime, and maintaining peace and security across Edo State. [2] He urged the public to remain law-abiding and go about their legitimate businesses, reiterating the command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property. [1]

What to watch next: The Nasarawa operation will continue till the end of December with DCP Sanusi Jidda coordinating the three sectors, while Edo investigators continue handling cases involving the Gender and Family Unit and the Violent Crime Response Unit.