The police have rescued seven officers and recovered the bodies of five others killed by armed bandits in an ambush while travelling to Zamfara State for the All Progressives Congress (APC) rerun primary elections duty.

The officers were ambushed by the bandits on their way to the state, prompting a search-and-rescue operation by tactical teams comprising the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

The operation led to the rescue of seven officers alive and unhurt, while two others who sustained gunshot wounds were taken to hospital for treatment.

The attackers, however, escaped with five service AK-47 rifles.

The police said Joint security reinforcements have commenced operations to recover the stolen weapons and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The Zamfara incident was among the major operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force across 10 states in the last 48 hours, including arrests of suspected criminals, recovery of firearms, rescue of abducted victims and investigations into fatal incidents.

In Kogi State, police operatives rescued three nursing mothers following an armed attack on a commercial Toyota Hummer Bus near Ebiya Town in Ajaokuta Local Government Area.

One passenger was killed in the attack, while 13 others were reportedly abducted into the bush.

The police recovered the vehicle and rescued the three nursing mothers, while joint security teams continued efforts to locate and rescue the remaining victims.

In Ogun State, police operatives killed a suspected armed robber during a gun duel with a robbery gang at Ijaba Area, Iyesi, Ota.

The operatives, who responded to a distress call at about 1:45am on November 1, recovered a locally fabricated pistol, two live cartridges, seven expended cartridges and two vehicles, a Nissan Almera and a Toyota Camry.

Other recovered items included stolen household property, a Tecno phone, three passport photographs, an MTN SIM pack, N4, 000 and two National Identification Number (NIN) cards.

In Nasarawa State, four principal suspects were arrested over the killing of a military officer, Corporal Benjamin Jige, who was allegedly stabbed to death by suspected cultitts.

Police and military personnel arrested the suspects during a joint operation at New Legit Hotel.

The police said other suspects, including a suspected Vikings Confraternity leader identified as Bigi Rasta and Simon Joshua Junior, had fled and were being tracked.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed these incidents in a statement issued on Tuesday from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, detailing the operational successes recorded by police commands across the country.

Iniedu said in Anambra State, a 34-year-old suspect, Azubike Okoye, was handed over to the police by personnel of the Nigerian Army after his arrest at Umuoba Anam Beach in Anambra East Local Government Area.

The police recovered a pump-action rifle, a long Dane gun and 13 live cartridges from him.

The suspect reportedly claimed to be a member of a local vigilante group, while investigators were working to establish the source and intended use of the weapons.

In Akwa Ibom State, three suspects were arrested during a raid on a suspected drug den along Umuahia Road in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.

Operatives of the Quick Intervention Unit arrested the suspects, Fredrick Udom, 29; Francis Solomon Usuro, 23; and Abasiama Fredrick Udom, 38.

Large quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and three Android phones suspected to have been stolen were recovered during the operation.

In Delta State, police recovered two live ammunition and two expended 7.62mm by 39mm cartridge shells following a report of the abduction of a 27-year-old man, Godbless Arenti, from his rented apartment at Oviri-Ogor, on the outskirts of Ughelli.

The police said intelligence tracking and bush-combing operations were ongoing to rescue the victim and arrest those responsible.

Similarly, in Gombe State, a 29-year-old man, Ahijo Boyi, was arrested during a visibility patrol with community assistance for allegedly possessing four rolls of electric cables suspected to have been vandalised along the stretch between the 301 Army Artillery Regiment and Gona.

The suspect reportedly confessed to conspiring with three others, who are currently at large.

In Enugu State, two suspects were arrested over the alleged mob killing of Gideon Amidu, who was reportedly assaulted and stabbed several times after being apprehended by residents on suspicion of an offence.

The victim was rushed to St. Martin’s Hospital, Awka, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

Police said the two main suspects were in custody as investigations continued. (The Nation)