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The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of 1,198 criminal suspects nationwide in just over one month, alongside the rescue of 166 kidnapped victims.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu stated this on Tuesday at the monthly conference with strategic senior officers, noting that the Force would intensify intelligence-driven operations against violent crimes across the country.

According to Disu, the arrests were recorded between June 9 and July 21, 2026 and disclosed that the suspects include 151 arrested for murder and culpable homicide, 117 for armed robbery, 151 for kidnapping, 104 suspected cultists, and 169 persons arrested for unlawful possession of firearms, among others.

The police also recovered 166 assorted firearms, 1,475 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 47 stolen vehicles during the operations.

Highlighting recent operational successes, Disu praised security agencies for the successful rescue of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State, describing the operation as a model of effective collaboration among the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and members of the public.

He said the rescue demonstrated the value of intelligence gathering, careful planning and inter-agency cooperation.
However, the police boss warned against complacency, stressing that operational success should inspire greater commitment rather than relaxation.

“We cannot let a success like Oyo breed complacency. Every achievement should push us to improve further, not to relax,” he said.

The IGP directed commissioners of police to develop command-specific security strategies based on the realities in their respective states while ensuring that all deployments are guided by credible intelligence rather than routine.

Meanwhile, the IGP has also decorated 30 newly promoted senior officers and charged them to justify their elevation through exemplary leadership, integrity and professionalism amid Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

The promotion ceremony saw the decoration of 13 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and 17 Commissioners of Police (CPs).

Addressing the officers, the IGP described the promotion as both a reward for years of dedicated service and a vote of confidence in their ability to provide effective leadership at a time when the nation faces terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, cybercrime and other violent crimes.

“You are stepping into higher command while our officers face real strain—a demanding security environment, long separations from family, and the daily weight of public expectation,” Disu said.

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The Senate, yesterday, broadened its investigation into the Safe Schools Initiative (SSI), extending the probe to key education and social intervention agencies, including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).

The lawmakers also granted the Senate ad-hoc committee investigating the initiative an additional three weeks to conclude its assignment, saying that a wider inquiry is necessary to fully assess the management of education-related intervention funds and student welfare programmes.

The resolution followed a motion moved by the Committee Chairman, Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North), under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders 2026 (as amended).

Kalu said the committee’s preliminary findings showed that the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative was closely linked to several agencies responsible for education financing, student support and humanitarian interventions.

According to him, investigating the programme in isolation would leave critical gaps in the Senate’s oversight function.

He said that the expanded mandate would enable the committee to produce a comprehensive report capable of strengthening accountability, improving transparency and ensuring that intervention funds achieve their intended objectives.

However, the investigation will further cover TETFund’s security and infrastructure interventions in tertiary institutions, NELFUND’s loan disbursement processes, administrative efficiency and student access framework, as well as UBEC’s interventions in the basic education sector.

Kalu said that the committee needed additional time as some critical aspects of the investigation, including planned visits to key locations, had yet to be completed.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, following a voice-vote by the lawmakers, who unanimously approved the request, granted the committee a three-week extension.

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The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a seven-day flood advisory, warning of a medium flood risk in 17 states between July 21 and July 27.

The agency said the alert followed rising water levels at key river monitoring stations, increasing the likelihood of localised flooding along river channels and floodplains.

NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, disclosed this in National Flood Advisory (Alert No. NFA-2026-200) issued on Tuesday.

He said the affected states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

According to Mohammed, river levels at Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River and Amber on the Amber River had exceeded watch and warning thresholds.

He said 16 gauging stations nationwide were recording elevated river stages, placing nearby communities at risk of localised flooding.

Mohammed urged state governments, local authorities and residents of flood-prone communities to take precautionary measures immediately.

NIHSA said Bauchi had the highest exposure, with 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets identified as vulnerable.

The agency also identified vulnerable communities and public facilities in Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue states.

Mohammed urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), local governments and community leaders to activate emergency response plans.

He recommended relocating residents, livestock and valuables from floodplains to safer locations.

He also advised emergency agencies to pre-position food, medical supplies and water treatment materials in areas likely to be affected.

The NIHSA boss called for community mobilisation through early warning volunteers and local communication channels to ensure timely dissemination of flood alerts.

He cautioned residents against walking, driving or riding through flooded roads, bridges and fast-flowing waterways.

Mohammed further urged authorities to clear blocked drains, culverts and waterways to improve water flow and reduce flooding.

He advised the public and relevant agencies to monitor daily flood updates and advisories issued by NIHSA.

(NAN)