By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dealt a major blow to criminal networks with the arrest of 16 suspects involved in offenses ranging from criminal conspiracy, suspected kidnapping, illegal mining, unlawful possession of firearms, to trading in counterfeit currencies. The operation was conducted through the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG-SIS) in collaboration with the NSCDC Kano State Command and operatives attached to BUA Cement Company in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
In an official signed statement, the National Public Relations Officer, ACC Afolabi Babawale, disclosed that the Commander of CG-SIS, Commandant AS Dandaura, JP, briefed journalists on the successful operations. According to Dandaura, one of the suspects, Abbas Lawan Garkuwa, was arrested for printing counterfeit US dollars, including 600,000 fake notes valued at nearly one billion naira. He was also accused of defrauding victims through false pretences, having earlier collected ₦9 million and attempted a further fake transfer of ₦8 million through an accomplice.
Garkuwa was apprehended on February 27 at Kwankwasiya City along Zaria Road in Kumbotso LGA of Kano State. Items recovered from him included chemicals used in counterfeiting, large quantities of substances suspected to be charms, 10 empty chemical containers, plain sheets, a travel ticket to Cameroon, a security ID, ATM cards, and other personal effects. Investigations linked his operations to an accomplice, Usman Muazu of Gombe State, who remains at large.
In another arrest, Sulaiman Mallam Uba was taken into custody in Kano while in possession of six locally fabricated rifles. Interrogations revealed that the weapons were supplied by Shuaibu Isiyaka under the direction of their group leader, Suleiman Isiyaka. The criminal network, masquerading as a private security outfit, allegedly facilitated illegal arms movement from Yobe State to the Okene area of Kogi State and deployed members between 2024 and 2025 to support criminal operations. Recovered items included six locally fabricated rifles and charms, amulets, and chains.
The squad also apprehended Kaumi Alhaji Kadau, 39, from Gujba LGA, Yobe State, an alleged arms manufacturer who produces and sells locally made weapons to kidnappers, bandits, insurgents, and other criminal groups. Equipment seized from him included improvised gun pipes, fire selectors, saw blades, hand tools, wooden materials, spray paint, metals, and an iron toolbox. He confessed to supplying weapons to Sulaiman Mallam Uba, now in custody.
Additionally, eight suspects were arrested at Ososo Line 4 within BUA International Cement Company, Okpella, Edo State, for offenses including criminal conspiracy, illegal mining, criminal trespass, and unlawful entry into restricted areas. Arrested individuals included Nurudeen Lawali (20), Jamilu Danyaro (20), Yasir Sanusi (17), Sarfilu Haruna (20), Yusuf Aminu (17), Nasiru Ibrahim (26), Shafiu Jafar (25), Suleiman Muhammadu (20), Auwulu Ladan (30), Rabiu Nura (35), Nasiru Mohammed Kabir (30), and Shamsu Yusuf (29). Weapons and tools such as machetes, shovels, diggers, and headpans were recovered.
The arrests were executed in line with the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, and relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, praised the squad for their gallantry and professionalism. He expressed concern over the increasing involvement of young and middle-aged individuals in economic sabotage, including kidnapping, illegal arms trade, and illegal mining. Prof. Audi reaffirmed that:
“Under my leadership, the Corps will not treat any act of economic sabotage with kid gloves, as these offenses constitute serious threats to national security and stability.”
He directed the CG-SIS to intensify investigations, identify sponsors, and ensure that all suspects at large are apprehended. He also assured that all cases would be diligently prosecuted to serve as a deterrent and thanked the public for their continued support and credible intelligence sharing.
