The Nigeria Police Force has reported the arrest of 24 suspected cultists and several other suspects across Delta, the Federal Capital Territory, Oyo, Taraba, and Ondo states, with firearms, suspected illicit drugs, and vandalized cables recovered during separate operations.
According to the Force’s state-by-state operational summary released on Tuesday, the arrests and recoveries were recorded between September 19 and 21, 2026.
In Delta State, police operatives arrested four suspects in connection with a murder incident in Ubulubu Village on September 20.
The operatives also recovered a locally made single-barrel gun, one live cartridge, and a quantity of a substance suspected to be cannabis.
The police said intelligence obtained from previously arrested suspects subsequently led to a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Obiaruku, where 20 suspected cultists were arrested.
The State Criminal Investigation Department, Asaba, is investigating the cases.
In the Federal Capital Territory, police operatives arrested a suspect accused of shooting an Okada rider following a disagreement on September 19.
A Dane gun was recovered from the suspect, and the Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, is investigating the case.
Similarly, two suspected vandals were arrested on September 21 while allegedly cutting and stealing solar electric poles along the railway tracks at Bricks City Estate. The suspects reportedly confessed to the offense during interrogation, according to the police.
Also in Oyo State, detectives arrested a suspect in connection with the death of a 31-year-old man following a machete incident. The machete allegedly used in the incident was recovered as an exhibit, with the State Criminal Investigation Department, Ibadan, handling the investigation.
In another operation in Ogbomoso, police arrested a suspected cable vandal during an anti-crime patrol and recovered a sack containing cables suspected to have been vandalized.
Meanwhile, police operatives and other security personnel in Taraba State repelled an attempt by hoodlums to break into an off-campus student hostel in Jalingo on September 21.
The police said the hoodlums were chased away before any injury or theft occurred, following which tactical and patrol teams were deployed around the college and its off-campus hostels to prevent further incidents.
In Ondo State, police tactical teams intervened during a violent protest in Ijare, rescuing the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and his escort personnel. The police said the crowd was repelled and the roadway subsequently cleared, while the State Criminal Investigation Department, Akure, commenced an investigation.
In Imo State, the police reported enhanced security measures across the Owerri metropolis during the Sixth Annual Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers.
The Force said heightened surveillance and security deployments were put in place to ensure the safety of senior officers, participants, and other stakeholders throughout the event.
The respective State Criminal Investigation Departments and Criminal Investigation Department formations are continuing investigations into the incidents.