By Nkechi Eze
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested 50 suspects linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, terrorism, and other violent crimes, while recovering a cache of dangerous weapons including an anti-aircraft launcher and several rifles in a series of coordinated operations across the country.
The arrests and recoveries were disclosed on Monday during a press briefing at the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team Headquarters by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid.
Placid said the operations were carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) between January and April 2026 as part of the police’s sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in gunrunning, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.
He explained that during the period under review, the intelligence-driven operations led to the arrest of 50 suspects across seven major cases and the recovery of 17 rifles of various models, 111 rounds of live ammunition of different calibres, two empty magazines, 17 live cartridges, three vehicles, three mobile phones, seven rifle magazines and five walkie-talkie communication devices, among other exhibits.
According to him, “Today’s briefing highlights some of the notable achievements recorded by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team in several coordinated operations aimed at combating criminality across the country.”
Placid said one of the suspects, Musa Jibrin, was arrested in connection with criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms following an earlier operation conducted on December 26, 2025. During the operation, police recovered one FNC rifle and an empty magazine from him.
Preliminary investigations, he said, revealed that Jibrin allegedly obtained the firearm from an accomplice identified as Bala, who is currently on the run. Police said efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspect and recover additional weapons, while arrangements are being made to arraign the principal suspect in court.
In another operation, the police arrested four members of an armed robbery syndicate in Benue State who specialized in mounting fake police checkpoints to rob unsuspecting members of the public.
The suspects were identified as Anuga Emmanuel, also known as Small ‘M’, 28; Peter John, 38; Francis Abba Idoko, also known as Nation, 26; and Ohepo Ogwuche, also known as Ateke, 30.
Police recovered from them a locally fabricated rifle, a locally fabricated revolver pistol, two rounds of live cartridges and a complete Police Mobile Force uniform used to disguise themselves as security operatives while carrying out their attacks. The suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue to track down other members of the gang.
The FID-IRT also arrested four suspects linked to multiple cases of abduction, “one chance’’ extortion, robbery and attempted murder within and around the Federal Capital Territory.
The suspects, identified as Lucky Ogoibe, 52; Chinedu Nwazak, 35; Dorathy Ogu, 45; and Nonso Uzo, 38, were arrested on March 13, 2026 along the Deidei/Kubwa Expressway in Abuja.
Recovered from them were a dark ash Golf car, an Infinix Hot 9 Play phone, a Samsung phone, an Itel keypad phone and ₦32,000 cash believed to be proceeds of their criminal activities. Police said some of the items recovered were linked to property belonging to one of their victims, identified as Chisom Oguno, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
In a separate operation, police operatives arrested three suspects believed to be responsible for the killing of three policemen attached to the Donga Divisional Police Headquarters in Taraba State.
The suspects were identified as Shagari Ali, 46; Sule Abdullahi, 30; and Idris Akawu, 31. Police said Shagari Ali and Sule Abdullahi were arrested on March 29, 2026 in Akake Village, Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State following credible human and technical intelligence.
Investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly masterminded the killing of the three officers on March 18, 2026 and were also linked to other violent attacks and crises in Takum Local Government Area. One AK-47 rifle was recovered during the operation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the group.
In another major breakthrough, the police arrested 33 suspects believed to be members of a criminal gang involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling, culpable homicide, arms dealing and acts of terrorism.
Police said the arrests followed investigations into the attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku town in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on November 20, 2025.
According to the police, the suspects were apprehended in coordinated operations carried out across several communities in Kwara and Kogi states including Gbugbu, Ora-Ago, Baballa, Kaiama, Awi, Charagi, Patigi and Okeode.
During the operations, the suspects abandoned several weapons including an anti-aircraft launcher and three AK-47 rifles which were subsequently recovered by police operatives.
Other items recovered from the group include seven AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, 32 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, five walkie-talkie communication devices and a camouflage hydration backpack.
In another case, police operatives arrested 25-year-old Nasiru Ibrahim in Benue State for illegal possession of a prohibited firearm.
Recovered from him were one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine and eight rounds of live ammunition. Investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly purchased the weapon about two years ago from a suspected bandit identified as Janari for ₦1.5 million.
Police said Ibrahim operates within the Igumale area of Benue State while efforts are ongoing to apprehend Janari and other members of the criminal network.
The police also arrested Chimezie Uzo, 39, in Abuja in connection with criminal conspiracy and car burglary.
He was arrested outside the Wuse Magistrate Court premises after intelligence reports linked him to a syndicate that specializes in breaking into parked vehicles and stealing valuables for resale.
Recovered from him was a locally fabricated master key believed to have been used to gain access to vehicles.
Investigations revealed that Uzo had been involved in the criminal activity for about three years and had previously been arrested in 2023. Police said he works with an accomplice identified as Elvis Nkala who is currently at large.
Placid assured Nigerians that the police would continue to strengthen their investigative capacity and collaborate with other security agencies to combat crime and ensure public safety.
“The Force will continue to strengthen its investigative capabilities and collaborate with other law enforcement partners. We remain steadfast in our mission to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of every citizen,” he said.
He expressed confidence that sustained efforts by the police and other security agencies would lead to a more secure and peaceful Nigeria.
