In line with the leadership style of combating criminals in Nigeria, Mr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun the Inspector-General of Police continue to ensure that the police is resolutely committed to making crime less attractive and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
On this note, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi an Assistant Commissioner of Police at a media briefing reeled out some achievements of both the Special Tactical Square and the Intelligence Response Team of the Police which recorded the arrest of 385 armed robbery suspects, 238 kidnapping suspects, 341 Murder/homicide suspects, 87 suspects connected with the unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, 143 rape suspects, 151 cultism suspects and have recovered 143 various firearms, 741 ammunitions of various calibres, recovered 72 stolen vehicles and rescued 461 kidnapped victims across the country.
Below are the numerous achievements so far
1. FOILED KIDNAPPING/RESCUE OF VICTIMS: On 29/2/24 at about 10:30 PM, armed bandits with sophisticated weapons blocked marabar bangori along Gusau-Funtua road in Faskari LGA Kastina State, attacked a ford vehicle with Lagos Reg NO. KTU-317 DH conveying passengers, en route Gusau to Kaduna and driven by one Abba Lawal ‘m’ 26yrs with intent to kidnap them. Upon receipt of the report, operatives mine rushed to the scene, and engaged the bandits in a gun duel, leading to the rescue of the driver and all 8 passengers, all from Nasarawa State. The rescued victims have been reunited with their families.
2. ARREST OF SUSPECTED GUN MANUFACTURES/RECOVERY OF ARMS: On 4/3/24 a team from Operation Zenda JTF invaded an arms manufacturing hideout at Amahundu, Nanev, Kwande Local Government area of Benue State and arrested the following suspects: (1) Terer Terfa aka Gadafi ‘m’ 24yrs (2) Aonddonaugen Tse-aa ‘m’ 36yrs (3)Torkuma Lorlaha ‘m’ 27yrs (4) Hangeior Atim ‘m’ 25yrs, (5) Tyav Terwase ‘m’ 35yrs (6) Gundu Gbagbogum ‘m’ 50yrs (7) Terwase Shimashan ‘m’ 20yrs (8)Terese Terver aka Gbatiir ‘m’ 18yrs and (9) Adinga Ramseydihno ‘m’ 33yrs from Cameroon. Exhibits recovered from them include 8 Barretta Pistols under fabrication, 1 AK-47 rifle, 10 AK47 live ammunition, 5 Barretta pistol ammunition, four (4) welding gas cylinders and other fabrication materials. All suspects confessed to being involved in the manufacturing of illegal arms and ammunition.
3. ARREST OF SECOND MOST WANTED KIDNAP KINGPIN IN FCT: Operatives of the FCT Command on 24/2/24 acting upon credible intelligence stormed Sardauna, Toto forests and arrested one Samaila Wakili Fafa AKA Habu Ibrahim, a kidnap kingpin on the command wanted list and has a bounty placed on him by the Hon. Minister of the FCT. He confessed to several killings done by himself and his gang, including the abduction of one Barr Chris Agidy, the legal aid to Senator Ned Okonkwo and Mr Sunday Yahaya Zakwai, the village head of Ketti Village who were both killed by him. He led operatives to where he buried the remains of the Late Barr Agidy whose corpse was exhumed and deposited at Gwagwalada General Hospital.
4. RAID ON IPOB/ESN HIDEOUT: On 30/3/24 at about 2:30 am operatives of the anti-cultism unit of the Enugu Command, carried out a raid on a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout in the Akwuke community of Enugu South LGA. The Operatives were met with high resistance by these unscrupulous elements but were subdued due to the superior firepower of the operatives. Two (2) IPOB criminals were killed, one (1) AK-47 rifle was recovered, one (1) submachine gun (SMG), one (1) stainless pump action gun (PAG), 27 live and 23 expended rounds of 7.62mm calibre of ammunition were recovered and also 5 live cartridges. Investigation revealed that the breech number of the AK-47 had been wiped off. Still, the magazine bore the Nigeria Police Colour, which must have been carted away during attacks on Police Formations.
Similarly, on 21/3/24, operatives of the Ebonyi state command in conjunction with sister security agencies stormed an ESN camp in Omini community in Izzi LGA, the criminals upon sighting the operatives engaged them in a gun duel, 3 of the criminals fell to the superior firepower of the Operatives, while 5 of them were arrested. Exhibits recovered include 3 Sienna vehicles, 1 AK-47 rifle with 16 rounds of live ammunition, a bag containing 2000 rounds of live ammunition, a police warrant card, an identity card with a picture of Nnamdi Kanu, one motorcycle, and one Itel phone. The exhibits revealed this gang were responsible for the recent killing and attack on Police Men within the State.
5. ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERS/RECOVERY OF ARMS: On 9/3/24, operatives of the Jigawa state command in conjunction with local vigilantes acting upon credible intelligence stormed the Dangoli Fulani camp of Kiyawa LGA and arrested 2 suspects in connection with a case of culpable homicide & robbery which was reported on the 7/3/24, namely: (1) Bello Usman ‘m’ 20yrs (2) Musa Babangida ‘m’ 18yrs all of Kiyawa LGA Jigawa State. Exhibits recovered are Two (2) AK-47 riffles, Four (4) magazines, sixty-eight (68) rounds of live ammunition, one (1) constructed leg chain, Eight (8) handsets, one (1) Boxer motorcycle with Reg No. LSR 206 QP, ECOWAS Passport belonging to one Mu’azu Abubakar, cash sum of two hundred and twenty-one thousand naira (221,000), 5 sim cards, one solar panel. Investigation revealed that the arms were the ones used to carry out the robbery that claimed the lives of 3 innocent persons in Birni Kudu Town, while the suspects confessed to the alleged crimes.
6. ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERS/CULTIST/RECOVERY OF ARMS; On 17/3/24, a team of joint operatives of Rivers State Police Command, in conjunction with local vigilantes apprehended one Samuel Nwokoma ‘m’ 25yrs, a member of Blood Star (BS) cult group who has been involved in several robberies and killings in the State. He led the team of operatives to his gang hideout at Ogwu Waterside Diobu, and upon conducting a thorough search the following items were recovered: 3 AK-47 riffles, one assault rifle, 6 AK-47 magazine, one Beretta pistol, 274 rounds of 7.6mm live ammunition, 105 rounds of 6.55 ammunition, 9 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 7 packets of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), one long detonating wire. Efforts are in place to arrest other members of the gang.
On the premises of the Force Intelligence Department/Intelligence Response Team, a total number of 45 cold-hearted criminal suspects were paraded. On display also was cash sum of One Hundred and Twenty-Six Thousand Five Hundred Naira (N126,500), One Screwdriver, One Jack Knife, Three Mazda Vehicles, One Golf Vehicle, Five Pistols of various models, Three Ak-47 Rifles, Ten Live cartridges, A locally fabricated Rifle, 322 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, 70 mobile phones of different models, 21 Laptop Computers of different models, One POS machine, One wheel spanner, Some pieces of crystal meth AKA Ice, Bottles and packs of several other illicit drugs, One black scissors, One Nigeria Police Beret, One Nigeria Police Crest, One Nigeria Police Training Manual, One Pair of Nigeria Police Sergeant Rank, One Pair of Nigeria Police Badge, One Nigeria Police T-Shirt, One Nigeria Police Desert Boot, Four Pairs of Nigeria Police complete uniform, Five Nigeria Police Belt. These exhibits are all items recovered from these cases that would now be displayed.
7. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ONE-CHANCE ARMED ROBBERS
SUSPECTS:
Lawrence Oba John ‘m’
Hamza Ibrahim ‘m’
Collins Nnaemeka Nwabueze ‘m’
Kosisochukwu Micheal Ofo ‘m’
Christian Enyi ‘m’
Ikenna Vincent ‘m’
Monday Ben Ochogwu ‘m’
Amodu Bernard ‘m’
Ernest Ezirike ‘m’
Emmanuel Madaki ‘m’
Joseph Ogah ‘m’
Ifeanyi Ugwu ‘m’
EXHIBITS:
DESCRIPTION: Operatives of the FID-IRT have successfully dismantled criminal operations of "one chance" armed robbery syndicates in Abuja. "One chance" involves criminals using commercial vehicles to trap unsuspecting passengers, robbing them of their belongings with the aid of dangerous weapons. Based on credible intelligence, our IRT operatives conducted a sustained crackdown, leading to the arrest of 12 suspects involved in various roles within these criminal syndicates along the Dei-Dei/Zuba expressway. The suspects operated using a black Mazda 323 with registration number AKL-914-BK and a custom-colored Mazda 323 with registration number YAB-700-KB.
The police also present four interconnected syndicates of "one chance" armed robbers, whose names were aforementioned. Recoveries made from these suspects include operational vehicles, phones, and laptops stolen from victims. Each suspect will address their specific role in this criminal network.
8. ARREST OF SUSPECTED GUN RUNNERS/ARM DEALERS
SUSPECTS:
Adamu Haladu ‘m’
Ashiru Ibrahim ‘m’
Jaafar Hussaini ‘m’
Abdulkadir Lawal ‘m’
EXHIBITS: One Mitsubishi Canter Truck, Two Motorcycles
DESCRIPTION: Operatives of IRT working with credible intelligence of a transaction of arms deal in progress arrested one Adamu Haladu ‘m’ of Doma Town Nasarawa State, Ashiru Ibrahim ‘m’ Of Paikon Kore Gwagwalada Area FCT Abuja, Jaafar Hussaini ‘m’ Of Danjibga in Zamfara State, and Abdulkadir Lawal ‘m’ Of Lambata Community in Gurara LGA Niger State for illegal gun/arms dealings, Jaafar Hussaini confessed to being the arms/ammunition supplier to the armed bandits in Munhaye forest of Zamfara state for the past five years and had supplied about (1,280 live ammunition of 7.62 mm calibre to one Idris Sani ‘m’, a gang leader of the armed bandits in that area. Recovered from them are one Mitsubishi Canter Truck and two Motorcycles used for the nefarious criminal acts.
9. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS/GUN RUNNERS
SUSPECTS:
Francis Okofo ‘m’
Justin Agbudie ‘m’
Sunday Ajirie ‘m
EXHIBITS: Three (3) Pistol and Two (2) Locally Fabricated AK-47 rifles.
DESCRIPTION: Sequel to credible intelligence on suspected armed robbers and arms dealings in Cross-Rivers State, FID-IRT operatives arrested one Francis Okofo ‘m’, Justin Agbudie ‘m’ and Sunday Ajirie ‘m’, all of Calabar, Cross Rivers State who all confessed to being involved in Gunrunning. Exhibits recovered from these suspects include three (3) pistols and two (2) locally fabricated Ak-47 rifles.
10. ARREST OF KIDNAPPERS AND LOGISTIC SUPPLIERS
SUSPECTS:
Shamsu Kabiru
Umar Mohammed
DESCRIPTION: Operatives of IRT acting on a confession of a previously apprehended suspect, proceeded to Gidan Abe village along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway and effected the arrest of one Shamsu Kabiru and Umar Mohammed. During interrogation, they both confessed to having been involved in several kidnappings and collection of ransom from the families of victims they had kidnapped. Umar Mohammed also confessed to being involved in the supply of logistics such as recharge cards, medication, foodstuffs and other items for the kidnappers, as well as feeding for the kidnapped victims.
11. ARREST OF NOTORIUS CRIMINAL IN CONNECTION WITH ARMED ROBBERY, CULPABLE HOMICIDE AND KIDNAPPING.
SUSPECTS:
Jafaru Adamu ‘m’ 34yrs
EXHIBITS: One AK-47 rifle, one magazine with twenty-two (22) rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
DESCRIPTION: The operatives of the FID-STS at the receipt of credible intelligence, mobilized and went on a manhunt for one Jafaru Adamu ‘m’ of Sansani, Bali LGA, Taraba State who has been reported as being at the centre of various heinous crimes committed in several other local Government Areas in Taraba State. Upon his arrest, the suspect confessed to perpetrating several crimes with the aid of his gang. The suspect then proceeded to lead the operatives to his hideout where the arm and ammunition were recovered.
12. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS
SUSPECTS:
Abdullahi Adamu ‘m’ 32 yrs
Abdulkarim Adamu ‘m’ 28 yrs
EXHIBITS: 1 AK-47 Rifle, 2 locally fabricated guns
DESCRIPTION: The operatives of the FID-STS received credible intelligence of an armed robbery gang operating within the FCT axis and swiftly acted on it, leading to the arrest of two (2) suspects; Abdullahi Adamu and Abdulkarim Adamu. The suspects upon their arrest confessed to the crime and led the operatives to their hideout where one Ak-47 rifle and 2 locally fabricated guns were recovered.
13. ARREST OF PRE-REGISTERED SIM PEDDLERS
SUSPECTS:
Joshua Peter Oluebube ‘m’ 23 yrs
Kaila Merry Micah ‘f’ 34 yrs
EXHIBITS: Three SIM card registration devices, two smartphones and 55 pre-registered SIM cards.
DESCRIPTION: Following diligent covert operations, the NPF-NCCC, in "Operation Dark SIM" have successfully apprehended two suspects; Joshua Peter Oluebube “M” 23 years and Kaila Merry Micah “F” 34 years, who are kingpins and masterminds of the fraudulent syndicate. The syndicate of street hawkers engage in unwholesome contravention of the revised National Identity Policy for SIM card registration in Nigeria which requires that all SIM cards must be linked to the individual National Identity Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The sale of pre-registered SIM cards poses serious security threats to our national security by fostering a wide range of cybercrime activities such as fraud, terrorism, and computer-related crimes. The use of proxies to Pre-register SIM Cards and bypassing the NCC mandatory registration process by criminals endangers the safety and privacy of the national cyber-ecosystem.
The following exhibits were recovered: three SIM card registration devices, two smartphones and 55 pre-registered SIM cards. The suspects have provided indicting confessional statements of their involvement in the illicit sale and distribution of pre-registered SIM cards across the country. They are assisting police investigations with valuable information that could lead to the apprehension of other members of their syndicate. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the suspects will be arraigned in court.
14. CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY & RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTIES
SUSPECTS:
Tajudeen Bello ‘m’ 58 yrs
Shamsudeen Bello ‘m’ 50 yrs
Sani Muhammed Yakubu ‘m’ 38 yrs
DESCRIPTION: On the 24/03/2024 at about 6:30PM, the operatives of the IRT received credible intelligence that a long SINO Truck with Reg No. MKA 79 XB loaded containing several electrical appliances, electrical materials and building materials valued over N3 million was diverted from Lagos State to Arab Road, Kubwa FCT instead of to Jos, Plateau State where it was intended. The operatives quickly acted on this intelligence and immediately located the above suspects with the stolen items in their possession.
15. ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS & BANDITS
SUSPECTS:
Mustapha Buhari
Aliyu Buhari
DESCRIPTION: Operatives Of IRT Acting on credible intelligence arrested one Mustapha Buhari Aged 35yrs and Aliyu Buhari aged 32yrs from Maganda Village Kagarko Kaduna. Upon their arrest and consequent interrogation, the suspects confessed their involvement in several cases of kidnapping, banditry, and several gun-running deals.
16. SALE OF CONTROLLED AND PROHIBITED DRUGS
SUSPECT: Ugwanyi Ugochukwu ‘m’ 37 Yrs
EXHIBITS: 20 Packs of Zopent Pentazocine Injection, 39 Bottles of CS Mix with Codeine, 15 Sachets of Rohynol Flunitrazepam drugs, 9 Sachets of Hyphox Flunitrazepam drugs.
DESCRIPTION: Acting on gathered intelligence on the operations of a major prohibited drug distributor around the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, operatives of the FID-IRT quickly swung into action and carried out discreet investigation which led to the eventual arrest of one Ugwanyi Ugochuwku ‘m’ who specialized in supplying prohibited and controlled drugs to several criminals and even one-chance robbery gangs who were arrested at the suspect’s residence.
"These significant achievements and milestones serve as testimonials exemplifying the unflinching dedication and commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun. The police remain focused on its goal to transform the country into a more secure space and bring succour to the members of the public" Adejobi said.
Adejobi finally reminded media men present that in several instances, the police have hammered on the need to do proper profiling before employing the services of maids or even before renting out an apartment/store to a tenant that currently, provisions have been made in the Federal Capital Territory for proper profiling and are urging citizens to visit the police stations close to them to get these profile forms. The forms are adequately detailed to give every relevant information about who they are employ.
