- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Police Force has neutralised three suspected bandits in string operations across strings of operations in Taraba, Plateau, Adamawa, Nassarawa, and Niger states.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to the statement, the armed bandits were neutralised in the coordinated tactical operations conducted in July by the operatives of the Force Intelligent Department- Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT).
The bandits, who attempted to escape upon sighting operatives, were fatally subdued after intense gunfire exchanges, during which they abandoned their weapons and fled into the surrounding terrains with various degrees of gunshot injuries.
Recovered from the bandits during the operation were 10 AK-47 rifles which they reportedly use for various criminal activities, including kidnappings, armed robberies, gunrunning, and cattle rustling.
Adejobi further disclosed that follow-up tactical operations are ongoing to track, identify, and apprehend fleeing members of the syndicates already indicted to be masterminds of deadly attacks on communities in the affected states.
Sequel to the operation, the spokesperson noted that Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun had reaffirmed the Force’s unyielding resolve to uphold national security, adding that it will continue to sustain and intensify intelligence-led operations to dismantle all criminal enterprises.
He also reiterated that the Force remains resolute in its constitutional duty to protect life and property across Nigeria.
The statement read in part; “In continuation of the Force’s launched offensive against violent crimes and armed criminal syndicates that threaten the country’s peace and stability, the Nigeria Police Force has achieved yet another significant operational success in recent intelligence-led operations across the country.
“Sequel to a series of coordinated tactical operations conducted in the month of July 2025, across Taraba, Plateau, Adamawa, Nassarawa, and Niger States, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department- Intelligence Response Team( FID-IRT) has successfully neutralized three (3) armed bandits during several armed encounters.
“The bandits, who attempted to escape upon sighting operatives, were fatally subdued after intense gunfire exchanges, during which they abandoned their weapons and fled into the surrounding terrains with various degrees of gunshot injuries.
“These operations led to the discovery and recovery of ten (10) AK-47 rifles—weapons linked to various criminal activities, including kidnappings, armed robberies, gunrunning, and cattle rustling.
“Follow-up tactical operations are ongoing to track, identify, and apprehend fleeing members of the syndicates already indicted to be masterminds of deadly attacks on communities in the affected states.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has again reaffirmed the Force’s unyielding resolve to uphold national security, as the Nigeria Police Force will continue to sustain and intensify intelligence-led operations to dismantle all criminal enterprises.
“The Force remains resolute in its constitutional duty to protect life and property across Nigeria. Citizens are encouraged to continue supporting the Police with actionable intelligence by reporting any suspicious activity to nearby police formations or via official channels.”