By Nkechi Eze
The Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 20 suspects for various criminal offences, including terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, vandalism, and obtaining by false pretence, in a series of coordinated operations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and Ondo States.
The arrests, carried out between October and November 2025, followed the directive of the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, to intensify nationwide clampdowns on high-profile criminal syndicates and conduct thorough investigations into their activities.
In an official statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer, CSC Afolabi Babawale, the NSCDC stated that the successful operations were part of ongoing efforts to ensure that there is “no hiding place for crime perpetrators” across the country.
According to the Head of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Assistant Commandant of Corps Dandaura J.P., the arrests led to the dismantling of multiple criminal networks responsible for acts of kidnapping, terrorism, vandalism, fraud, and murder in several states. He disclosed that two suspects were confirmed through investigation to be terrorist or militia members linked to recent communal attacks, while five others were identified as major buyers of stolen items connected to the crimes.
Two suspects were also arrested for vandalising essential public infrastructure, particularly electricity installations belonging to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), while three others were apprehended for fraud-related offences.
Items recovered during the operations include two AK-47 rifles, two G3 rifles recovered in Ondo State, 65 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one Toyota Corolla LE (2010 model) snatched at gunpoint, four motorcycles, several mobile phones, electronics, charms, and cash.
On the arrest of terrorism, kidnapping, and murder suspects in Benue, Plateau, and Nasarawa States, Dandaura revealed that actionable intelligence led to the capture of Ibrahim Hudu (30) and Hassan Ibrahim (23) in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The duo confessed to their involvement in several heinous crimes, including the kidnapping and killing of Mr. Obasanjo H. Aku along the Lafia–Akwanga Road after collecting ransom, as well as the abduction and murder of Mr. Muhammadu Yaka, a farmer in Nasarawa Eggon, who was killed because he recognised one of the gang members.
Further investigation revealed that Hassan Ibrahim had direct links to militia attacks in Yelwata community (Guma LGA, Benue State) and Qua’an-Pan LGA (Plateau State). He confessed to participating in the looting and burning of houses in Yelwata and in an attack on Fili (Nteng) village, where the gang was ambushed by military personnel, leading to the deaths of two of his accomplices, Umar and Korijo.
Recovered from this syndicate were one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, 40 rounds of 7.62x39mm special ammunition, and charms.
Similarly, the CG’s SIS arrested three notorious kidnapping and highway robbery suspects in Lafia and its environs. They include Bamaiyi Mustapha (alias Dan Borno), John Ishaya (alias Baushe), and James Bako (alias Muchake). The suspects confessed to multiple kidnapping attempts targeting prominent individuals in Nasarawa State, including Turaki Gamji and Alhaji Bil-adama, and to being behind several highway robberies in Lambata (Niger State), Kogi, Kaduna Road, and Akwanga (Nasarawa State). The syndicate was also implicated in large-scale cattle rustling operations.
In a major breakthrough against arms proliferation, the squad also arrested Iseoluwa Shadrach Omosehin (27) in Ondo State, recovering two G3 rifles with breach numbers 6911856 and 69047064.
In another operation targeting critical infrastructure, the squad arrested Nyitamen George (34), a Tiv man, for illegally tampering with electrical installations, making illegal connections, and diverting funds meant for electricity bills to his personal account. Another suspect, Muhammad Aliyu (alias Aliko, 23), was arrested for vandalism, assault, and causing grievous harm.
The squad also dismantled the logistics and financial chain supporting these criminal operations by arresting five major receivers of stolen goods. They include Amin Omaku, who purchased a Toyota Corolla and three motorcycles; Emmanuel Sale, who bought mobile phones and televisions; Victor Eze Friday, found with a Samsung Galaxy S10E; Sunday Thankgod, caught with an iPhone 14 Pro; and Hassan Bawa, who was arrested while in possession of a stolen motorcycle.
Speaking on the overall success of the operations, Commandant Dandaura reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment under Prof. Audi’s leadership to rid the nation of criminal elements and safeguard lives and property in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“Let me reaffirm the Commandant General’s commitment to rid the nation of the scourge unleashed by economic saboteurs, vandals, and other crime perpetrators. These arrests underscore the unwavering determination of the NSCDC to protect our communities and ensure the safety of citizens,” he stated.
He assured that all suspects would be charged to court upon the completion of investigations and urged Nigerians to continue providing actionable intelligence to the NSCDC and other security agencies to help curb crime across the nation.
