Police Apprehend 72 Suspects in Nationwide Crackdown on Criminal Activities
By: Emmanuel Ibitoye
In a significant operation spanning the last two weeks, the police have successfully arrested 72 individuals across the country, targeting various criminal offenses such as kidnapping, murder, car theft, banditry, unlawful possession of firearms, and gun running. Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this information during a media briefing in Abuja.
Among the arrested suspects, 34 were apprehended for alleged involvement in kidnapping, leading to the rescue of 22 kidnapped victims who have now been reunited with their families. The suspects were found in possession of military attire, firearms, ammunition, and other illicit items.
Items recovered from the suspects include 10 sets of military camouflage uniforms, 10 camel packs, 12 military hats, three cardigans, three T-shirts, two belts, and three anklets. Additionally, six AK-49 rifles, two SMGs, one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, a revolver, 290 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition, four AK-47 magazines, and two SMG magazines were seized.
The police also recovered two pump-action rifles, a Dane gun, two Volkswagen Golf cars, bags containing illicit drugs, N2.2 million in cash, and various other dangerous weapons during the arrests.
Adejobi highlighted a case in Kaduna where a suspect was arrested for illegal possession of prohibited firearms. The suspect, who confessed to owning a locally fabricated gun, admitted previous involvement with a kidnapping gang but had never received a share of the ransom. He stole the weapon from the group with the intention of forming his own crew.
In a separate operation, the FCT Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested six suspected kidnappers in a hotel at Bassa Village along Airport Road. The suspects confessed to being responsible for the abduction of Joshua Eze on January 27, 2023, leading to a successful rescue mission on January 28. The police recovered an AK-47 rifle, three cutlasses, 10 mobile phones, N345,000 in cash, and other valuables.
The arrests also extended to human trafficking, with the interception of a suspect in a Toyota Hiace bus conveying 12 underage children from Nasarawa State to Ogun. The children, aged between 5 and 16 years, are believed to be victims of human trafficking.
These recent operations reflect the police force’s ongoing efforts to combat various forms of criminal activities and ensure the safety and security of the public.
