Police arrest 50 suspects crackdown leads to recovery of weapons and arrests linked to kidnapping, robbery and fake checkpoints
The Nigeria Police Force, through its Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Placid, in Abuja, announced the arrest of 50 suspects in a sweeping nationwide operation targeting fake checkpoints, kidnapping, banditry, robbery and other violent crimes.
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The Force said the arrests were carried out over a three-month period between January and March by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team in a coordinated and intelligence-led operation across several states.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Placid disclosed that the operations led to the recovery of 17 rifles of various models, 111 rounds of live ammunition, two empty magazines, 17 live cartridges and three vehicles.
Other exhibits recovered included mobile phones, walkie-talkies and additional operational items linked to criminal activities.
The police described the exercise as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks operating across Nigeria.
The operation also uncovered gangs allegedly responsible for mounting fake police checkpoints to rob unsuspecting motorists.
In one of the key incidents, operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested four suspects in Benue State on March 3.
The suspects were allegedly involved in armed robbery operations using a locally fabricated rifle, a revolver pistol and a complete Police Mobile Force uniform used as a disguise.
In another development, four additional suspects were arrested on March 13 along the Deidei and Kubwa Expressway in Abuja over alleged involvement in abduction, extortion and robbery.
Investigators also linked the suspects to multiple cases of “one chance” operations and attempted murder within the Federal Capital Territory.
Placid further confirmed the arrest of three suspected kingpins in Taraba State on March 29.
The suspects were allegedly connected to the killing of three police officers attached to the Donga Divisional Police Headquarters earlier in the month, as well as other violent attacks in Takum Local Government Area.
The police spokesperson said investigations remain ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the syndicates and recover additional weapons believed to be in circulation.
He described the operation as a decisive and sustained effort to restore public safety and strengthen national security.
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Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying intelligence-led policing to curb organised crime and protect citizens across the country.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
