The Nigeria Police Force Special Tactical Squad has detained a total of 32 infamous criminals for their roles in abduction, armed robbery, arms smuggling, illegal weapon possession, illicit drug trafficking, trans-border auto theft, and rape, among other crimes.
During the follow-up investigation, the police team recovered nineteen (19) AK47 rifles, one (1) GPMG, three (3) revolver rifles, two (2) G-3 rifles, one (1) SMG, one (1) berretta pistol, four hundred and fifty-three (453) rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, twelve (12) magazines, and seventeen (17) stolen cars from the criminals, according to the Force Public Relations Officer Commissioner of Police CP Frank Mba.
Read also: Omicron variant: Security operatives bar unvaccinated workers from federal secretariat
Mbah said that among the instances is the arrest of six (6) known offenders involved in automobile theft in various regions of the country, including Nasarawa, Port Harcourt, the Federal Capital Territory, Kebbi, and Zamfara.
“These suspects carry stolen cars via our international borders and deliver them to a prominent criminal receiver named Alhaji Garuba (who is currently at large) in Niger Republic,” the spokesman stated.
Investigations further revealed that the suspects’ method of operation includes seizing cars at gunpoint and occasionally removing them from public parking lots such as the Cinema, Church, and Mosque.”
Mbah further said that stolen cars are sold at bargain prices in neighboring countries and occasionally handed to Alhaji Garuba in exchange for illegal weaponry.
“The Nigeria Police’s INTERPOL team is already working with its counterparts in the Niger Republic to apprehend the fleeing criminals and bring them to justice,” he said.
Dayyabu Mohammed, a 27-year-old resident of Soba LGA in Kaduna State, was also apprehended for illegally possessing five (5) AK47 weapons and 250 rounds of AK47 ammunition.
Read Also: BREAKING: Buhari receives South African President Ramaphosa in Aso Rock amid Omicron COVID-19 concerns
The culprit was apprehended by STS operatives during a bandit hunt in Saminaka Forest in Kaduna State.
“Investigation reveals that Dayyabu Mohammed is a weapons supplier to two (2) known and wanted bandits in the country’s north west and north central regions,” Mbah said.
The two bandit kingpins were apprehended while transporting firearms in a Golf-3 saloon car from Jos, Plateau State, to the bandits’ hideouts in a forest in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State.
“Investigations by the Police team found that one of the wanted bandits provided the Golf-3 saloon car as an operating vehicle with the assurance that complete ownership of the vehicle would revert to him after five successful guns delivery missions.”
The culprits of a recent murderous attack on travellers on the Tafa axis of the Kaduna – Abuja highway, where two (2) women and their husbands were abducted by the criminals and taken into the forest, were also apprehended by the police.
“Operators from the Special Tactical Squad, who had been sent to the area, were promptly mobilized and went after the suspects in order to save the victims.” The police officers soon discovered the culprits’ hideout, mounted a rescue effort, and successfully liberated the hostages, including the women, who were unharmed.”
Read Also: How we used woman to seduce lawmaker and rob him of $2,000 –Suspected kidnapper
C.P Mbah went on to say that the operatives also captured a gang of six people in connection with the attack on a mosque in Mazakuka, Mashegu LGA, Niger State, in which eighteen (18) people were slain and more than thirty (30) were abducted.
“Police investigations revealed that the gang boss and some of the gang members are Lokoja correctional institution escapees,” said the statement. One was apprehended for his criminal part in providing the group with heavy drugs. They were found with two (2) AK47 weapons, three (3) completely loaded magazines, and numerous hard drug bundles.”
While praising the team for their successful operations, Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali promised the public that the Force would continue to pursue these criminal elements who constitute a threat to our national security.
Read Also: Police foil kidnap of Nasarawa South zonal PDP chairman
The IGP urged members of the public who have been victims of auto theft to bring proof of ownership to the STS office in Guzape, Abuja, to claim their vehicles, noting that the color, interior, and vehicle number plate may have been tampered with.
When the investigations are finished, all of the suspects will be arraigned in court.
