By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Police Force has announced a series of major operational successes recorded by its Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the Force Intelligence Department, including the arrest of armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping, and vandalism suspects across Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba States and the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the FID-STS Headquarters, Guzape, Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, said the operations, carried out in the first quarter of 2026, demonstrate the Force’s continued commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention.
He disclosed that the squad, acting on directives of the Inspector-General of Police, successfully arrested multiple high-profile suspects and disrupted several organised criminal syndicates, with recoveries including firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles, and railway materials.
Among the key breakthroughs, the police said operatives arrested three suspects linked to armed robbery operations in Kaduna State, recovering ten stolen vehicles of various brands, including Toyota Hilux trucks, Toyota Corolla cars, a Lexus, and other vehicles. One of the suspects, identified as a dismissed soldier, allegedly impersonated a serving military officer to evade arrest while carrying out criminal activities.
In another operation in Kaduna State, four suspected armed bandits were arrested with four AK-47 rifles, a locally fabricated pistol, and over 100 rounds of ammunition. One of the suspects reportedly attempted to disarm operatives during arrest but was subdued and is receiving medical attention.
The Force also confirmed the arrest of two kidnapping suspects in Nasarawa State linked to the abduction of a victim from Toto Local Government Area, where a ransom demand of ₦6 million was made. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects collected ₦1.5 million from relatives of the victim without securing their release.
In the Federal Capital Territory, operatives arrested a suspect allegedly connected to banditry activities in Plateau State, where he reportedly provided logistical support and aided cattle rustling operations for armed groups.
The Police further disclosed the arrest of six suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate in Kaduna State linked to multiple abductions, including those of security personnel and civilians, with ransom payments running into millions of naira. Some victims were rescued during earlier operations, while efforts are ongoing to free others still in captivity.
In Taraba State, operatives recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition abandoned by fleeing suspects during a mop-up operation. Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are linked to ongoing banditry activities in the area.
The Force also announced the arrest of two suspects in Nasarawa State for alleged vandalisation of government property and illegal transportation of railway materials valued at over ₦400 million. The suspects were found with a trailer load of railway tracks and sleepers concealed under groundnut shells while attempting to move the materials from Bauchi to Kwara State.
DCP Placid said the successes underscore the effectiveness of the Special Tactical Squad in dismantling criminal networks and disrupting violent crime across the country, adding that investigations are ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects and recover additional weapons and stolen assets.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to sustaining intelligence-driven operations while calling on members of the public to continue providing credible information to aid security operations nationwide.
