Police record operational successes across seven states, arrest terror suspects, recover arms
By Suleiman Bashir
The Nigeria Police Force says its operatives recorded significant operational successes across seven states, including the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators, dislodgement of an illegal firearms factory and recovery of several firearms.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on the operational successes recorded by the Force on Aug. 24.
Iniedu said the operations demonstrated the sustained efforts of the Force to disrupt criminal networks, recover illicit weapons, prevent attacks and apprehend suspects linked to violent crimes across the country.
He said in Imo, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested three suspected terrorist collaborators, including the alleged owner of a terrorist camp, on Aug. 21.
Two AK rifles were recovered from the suspects, comprising an AK-49 allegedly linked to the murder of a Homeland Security Guard and an AK-47 earlier snatched from Agwa Police Station during an attack in 2022.
According to him, the suspects remained in custody as investigation continued to unravel the wider terrorist network.
In Taraba, police operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested a 50-year-old suspected manufacturer of illegal firearms and recovered six firearms.
The recovered weapons comprised four locally made Dane guns and two single-barrel guns, alongside tools allegedly used for firearms manufacturing.
The suspect was also said to be cooperating with investigators by providing information on arms buyers, as efforts continued to recover more weapons and apprehend other suspects.
The Force also reported that security personnel in Plateau successfully repelled an attack on Tanjol Village, Riyom Local Government Area, on Aug. 23.
In the aftermath of the attack, a joint search-and-rescue operation recovered two injured security personnel, who were taken to hospital for medical attention.
In Bauchi, police arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 25-year-old man during a fight in Bauchi metropolis and recovered the knife allegedly used in the incident.
Similarly, in Gombe, detectives arrested a suspect following a fatal assault in Gudukku District, Nafada Local Government Area.
The police said the 16-year-old victim sustained a serious head injury during a disagreement, while the suspect was arrested and assisting the investigation.
In Ogun, police operatives responded to reports of threats and an alleged cult-related attack at Kajola, Ikenne, arresting one suspected attacker.
Efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects, the statement said.
In Niger, police responded to a mob action in Nasko following the death of two suspected thieves who were allegedly attempting to dispossess an Okada rider of his motorcycle.
The remains of the deceased were recovered and deposited at the General Hospital, Nasko, while investigation was ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those involved.
Iniedu said the various cases were being investigated by the respective State Criminal Investigation Departments in Owerri, Jalingo, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, Eleweran and Minna.
He said the Force remained committed to sustaining intelligence-led operations against criminal elements and protecting lives and property across the country.
