By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested an ex-immigration officer who was attempting to sell sophisticated firearms to bandits operating in the Abuja-Kaduna forests.
A dismissed officer, whose identity has not been revealed, was taken into custody following an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the police.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Mustafa Mohammed, said the operation prevented the arms from reaching criminal elements who he said could have made them deadly.
“Acting on intelligence, the command intercepted these guns from a dismissed immigration officer attempting to sell them to bandits terrorizing the Abuja-Kaduna forest. The intelligence was received in time, and the arms were intercepted while he was trying to make the delivery.” He said
According to Mohammed, among the recovered weapons was a Scorpion CZ EVO3, an advanced, fully automatic firearm with an inbuilt silencer.
“This is the latest model, the 2022 version of the Scorpion series. It can be used in single, automatic, or burst mode. It is a highly sophisticated weapon, and its magazine can hold between 20 to 30 rounds, depending on the configuration. We also recovered 52 rounds of ammunition which could have posed a severe threat had they fallen into the hands of criminals.”
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, disclosed that a total of 300 suspects were arrested between January and February 28, 2025.
“In its sustained effort to rid the Federal Capital Territory of crime and criminal elements, the FCT Police Command has intensified its operations, carrying out series of high-impact raids from January 1st to February 28th, 2025.
“These decisive actions, driven by intelligence and executed with tactical precision, have led to the arrest of 300 suspects and the recovery of a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and illicit substances. Total number of armed robbers arrested: 59.
“Total number of kidnappers and informants arrested: 10. Total number of armed robbers neutralized: nine. Total number of kidnappers neutralized: seven. Total number of cultists arrested: 16.”
Disu also highlighted that targeted raid and clearance operations were conducted in identified criminal hideouts.
“Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the safety of residents, the Command deployed specialized tactical teams to raid identified criminal hideouts and black spots across the FCT. These operations covered high-risk areas, including Dei-Dei, Karu, Gwarinpa, Jikwoyi, Karimo and Maitama.
“Additionally, abandoned buildings across the city, frequently used as hideouts and bases for planning illicit activities, have been identified and will be subject to continuous monitoring and raids.” He said.
