Police announce arrest of 50 suspects, recovery of arms

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.