Police Arrest 17 Suspected Human Traffickers, Rescue Abducted Boy In 24-Hour Operations

The Nigeria Police Force says it has arrested 17 suspected human traffickers in Benue State, rescued an abducted 11-year-old boy in Cross River State and apprehended several kidnapping and armed robbery suspects in operations across the country.

The successes were contained in the Force’s top 10 state-by-state operational summary for October 10, 2026, issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anthony Ani Iniedu.

In Benue State, police operatives arrested 17 foreign nationals suspected of involvement in clandestine activities after acting on credible intelligence.

The suspects, who allegedly entered Nigeria without valid travel documents, are in custody as investigations continue.

In Cross River State, operatives rescued an 11-year-old boy who was allegedly abducted and found tied up in a suspect’s room with injuries to his head. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody for investigation.

In Rivers State, police arrested four suspected kidnappers linked to incidents along the Igwuruta-Etche axis.

The suspects reportedly confessed to the crime and other kidnapping incidents.

In a separate operation along Igbo-Etche Road, operatives intercepted a tricycle conveying four occupants and recovered a G3 rifle and four rounds of live ammunition.

The police said investigations into both incidents were ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Port Harcourt

In Ekiti State, five suspects were arrested over the alleged unlawful invasion of a woman’s residence and her severe assault.

The suspects are being held as investigations continue ahead of prosecution.

Another operation in the state led to the arrest of a suspect who allegedly attempted to evade a stop-and-search checkpoint.

Police recovered an unregistered motorcycle, seven pairs of jeans, 20 T-shirts, four joggers and two face caps.

In Anambra State, operatives arrested a suspected armed robber linked to an incident in Awka.

Items recovered from his hideout included the victim’s purse, an unregistered motorcycle, an axe and other exhibits. Police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplice.

In Kogi State, police patrol and surveillance operatives intercepted a vehicle along Magongo Highway and arrested the driver.

A total of 300 kilogrammes of substances suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from the vehicle.

Meanwhile, police tactical teams in Ogun State have launched search-and-rescue operations following a reported kidnapping in Saapade, where two victims are yet to be rescued.

Expended AK-47 ammunition shells were recovered at the scene, while coordinated operations continue to locate the victims and arrest the perpetrators.

In Zamfara State, security personnel responded to a reported bandit attack on Bardoki Village. The attackers had fled before the team arrived, prompting ongoing combing and tracking operations to apprehend them.

The police said investigations into the reported incidents and operations were being handled by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments.

The Force reiterated its commitment to tackling kidnapping, armed robbery, human trafficking and other criminal activities across the country.