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The Nigerian Police Force has highlighted some of the notable achievements carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in several coordinated operations from January to date, leading to the arrest of fifty suspects.
Addressing the press in Abuja on Monday, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the Force Public Relations Officer, said the operatives had followed up on several gunrunning and kidnapping syndicates and clandestine activities, which led to the recovery of several dangerous weapons and illicit drugs, among other exhibits.
The Police highlighted seven cases which led to the arrest of 50 suspects and the recovery of 17 rifles of various models, 111 live ammunitions of various calibres, two empty magazines, 17 live cartridges, three vehicles, three phones, seven magazines, five walkie-talkies, among other exhibits on display.
The Police said that one Musa Jibrin was arrested for criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and banditry, and that one FNC rifle and one empty magazine were recovered.
“The arrest followed an earlier operation on 26th December 2025, during which one FNC rifle and an empty magazine were recovered from the suspect,” he said.
Placid said that four members of an armed robbery syndicate were also arrested in Benue State, with weapons recovered by operatives of the FID-IRT acting on credible intelligence.
“The suspects specialized in mounting fake police checkpoints to rob unsuspecting members of the public.
“Recovered from them were a locally fabricated rifle, a revolver pistol, live cartridges, and a complete Police Mobile Force uniform used as a decoy.
“These suspects are currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang and recover additional weapons.”
He added that operatives of the FID-IRT, acting on credible intelligence, arrested Lucky Ogoibe, Chinedu Nwazak, Dorathy Ogu and Nonso Uzo on 13th March 2026 along the Deidei/Kubwa Expressway, FCT-Abuja.
According to the Police, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were involved in multiple cases of abduction, “one chance” extortion, robbery and attempted murder within and around the FCT.
It said the exhibits recovered were linked to their criminal activities, including property belonging to one of their victims, Chisom Oguno. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate to recover additional operational assets.
The operatives also arrested Shagari Ali and Sule Abdullahi on 29th March 2026 in Akake Village, Donga LGA, Taraba State.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are the brains behind the killing of three policemen attached to Donga Divisional Police Headquarters on 18th March 2026, and have been linked to other violent attacks and crises in Takum LGA,” Placid said.
Meanwhile, investigation to apprehend other fleeing suspects and recover their operational weapons continues.
The Police said it had also arrested 33 suspects, including Abubakar Usman aka Siddi, 26 years; Ibrahim Sa’idu aka Idi Soho, 35 years; Adamu Mohammad aka Baushe/Dogo, 58 years; Abdullahi Abubakar aka Bature, 35 years; Abubakar Abdullahi aka Turke, 35 years; Yusufa Isah aka Munyaye, 50 years; Zubairu Abubakar, 35 years; Shaibu Usman, 35 years; Mohammed Lawai aka Jalel, 40 years; Dahiru Adamu Mohammedu, 50 years; Mohammadu Audu aka Alti, 40 years; Dahiru Alh. Ahmadu, 25 years; Iliyasu Umar aka Magaji, 38 years; Usman Alh. Mati aka Saidu, 30 years; Umar Mohammed aka Mulandan, 25 years; Shehu Usman Mohammed; Umar Mohammed (Jos), 25 years; Mohammadu Ali aka Jabbi/Ruwa, 30 years; Abubakar Mamman, 28 years; Mohammadu Alti, 32 years; Idris Auwal aka Samaila, 26 years; Ajiboye Biodun, 20 years; Lawali Shehu, 32 years; Mohammadu Sani aka Kachalla Ruga, 65 years; Musa Ado aka Maidu, 65 years; Abubakar Adamu aka Buba, 26 years; Mohammadu Zangina aka Zangina, 23 years; Abubakar Shaibu aka Jijji, 20 years; Mohammadu Salihu aka Fulani, 25 years; Mohammadu Musa aka Musa, 23 years; Abubakar Sani aka Siddi, 25 years; Yusufa Isah aka Leriya, 22 years; Mohammadu Ibrahim aka Iro, 21 years.
Exhibits recovered include seven AK-47 rifles, seven magazines for AK-47 rifles, one anti-aircraft launcher, 32 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, five walkie-talkie communication devices and one camouflage hydration backpack.
The Police said that following the attack on the Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C.) in Eruku Town, Ekiti LGA of Kwara State on 20th November 2025, operatives of the IRT conducted coordinated operations across Kwara and Kogi States.
It said preliminary investigation revealed that the gang was involved in criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of firearms, arms dealing and acts of terrorism, for which a prima facie case had been established.
“The gang members were arrested at multiple locations including Gbugbu, Ora-Ago, Baballa, Kaiama, Awi, Charagi, Patigi and Oke-Ode. During operations, the suspects abandoned an anti-aircraft rifle and three AK-47 rifles, which were subsequently recovered by the police,” the Force PRO said.
“Investigation is ongoing to apprehend any fleeing members of the gang and recover additional operational weapons.”
The Police said operatives of the FID-IRT also arrested Nasiru Ibrahim in Benue State, and that one AK-47 rifle, one magazine and eight rounds of live ammunition were found in his possession.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that Nasiru Ibrahim is linked to a known bandit identified as Janari, who allegedly sold the AK-47 rifle to him approximately two years ago for the sum of one million five hundred thousand naira,” the Police said.
“Further investigation revealed that Nasiru Ibrahim operates within the Igumale area of Benue State. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Janari and other members of the syndicate to recover additional weapons.”
The Police said its operatives also arrested one Chimezie Uzo outside the Wuse Magistrate Court premises, Abuja.
Preliminary investigation, according to the Police, revealed that Chimezie Uzo operates with an accomplice, one Elvis Nkala, who is currently at large, and that the duo specializes in breaking into parked vehicles and stealing valuables for resale.
“Further findings indicate that Chimezie Uzo has been involved in this criminal activity for about three years and had previously been arrested in 2023. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice and recover additional exhibits,” it added.
Police announce arrest of 50 suspects, recovery of arms in nationwide crackdown
