The Nigeria Police Force has stated that it arrested 254 suspects in Plateau, Taraba, and Kaduna States.
According to a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, among the suspects arrested are 92 armed robbers, 153 kidnappers, and 9 suspected cultists.
The statement further revealed that the men of the Force had rescued unhurt 35 kidnapped victims, with seven stolen vehicles recovered, adding that the variously executed operations have led to the recovery of 44 arms along with 477 rounds of ammunition of various calibers.
Giving the breakdown of the operations that led to the arrests of the suspects, rescue of kidnapped victims, and recovery of arms and ammunition, the statement stated, “FID-IRT operatives acting on active intelligence concerning a syndicate of trans-border gunrunners operating in Plateau State, supplying arms and ammunition to criminal elements beyond the country’s borders, arrested10 suspects including a trans-border arms and ammunition supplier based in Obudu LGA of Cross River State, who supplies AK47 rifles, ammunition, and rocket launchers to rebels and other criminal elements in neighboring countries.”
Also, a factory in Kuru, Jos, Plateau State where rifles are fabricated was also discovered and a total of two AK-47 rifles, nine automatic pistols, and 1,800 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.
“Similarly, operatives of the FID-IRT received intelligence of a group suspected to be involved in arms dealing and kidnapping in Sutai, Bali LGA of Taraba State, upon which they buckled down and arrested 2 suspects. Subsequent interrogation and investigation revealed that one of the suspects had had 12 AK-47 rifles about 2 years ago, but was intercepted by police operatives while returning from an operation and had fled and managed to escape with just 2 AK-47 rifles. The other suspect confessed to having a single AK-47 rifle and also belonging to a syndicate that specializes in gun running and cattle rustling, the statement added.
The statement pointed out, “Likewise, operatives of the FCT Special Intervention Squad arrested a suspect from Audi village, who admitted to belonging to a gang of over 20 kidnappers and their informant. The suspect confessed to participating in two kidnapping operations, holding victims captive for 21 days, and collecting a ransom of 1.1 million. He also owned an AK-47 rifle, which he paid 300,000 for, and Yaroro, his gang leader, completed the balance before acquiring the weapon. He confessed that his gang members killed Ardo Shaibu and his family, eradicating his lineage from Dorayi village, Kaduna State.”
