Domestic security: Police arrest 1,412 suspects nationwide, seize 350 weapons and 4,055 ammunition in two months

Domestic security: Police arrest 1,412 suspects nationwide, seize 350 weapons and 4,055 ammunition in two months

113 kidnapping victims rescued, no injuries

Suspect in attack on Apostle Johnson Suleiman arrested

In the past two months, the Nigerian police force has made many major breakthroughs in its continuous fight against domestic crimes and crimes and curbing the proliferation of illegal weapons. It has arrested 1,412 suspects of various violent crimes, including 548 armed criminal suspects.

There were 242 suspects of robbery and kidnapping, 365 suspects of murder/homicide, and 237 suspects of rape/insulting. It is worth noting that during the review period, a total of 350 illegal guns and 4,055 pieces of ammunition of various calibers were seized across the country, and 113 kidnapping suspects were safely rescued and reunited with their families.

Among the most prominent breakthroughs was the arrest of Yusuf Ismael Isah, a 32-year-old plumber from Okun, Kogi State, by brave Army agents. According to the investigation, he was part of a gang of seven, six of whom were involved in the fatal attack on the motorcade of Omega Global Fire Service founder Apostle Johnson Suleiman on the Otchi Benin-Ochi highway on October 21, 2022 Attacked (6) people, including 3 policemen, were brutally killed. Intelligence shows that the gang is composed of 7 people and has been actively participating in kidnapping operations in Edo State and surrounding areas.

From 2021 to 2023, about 4 kidnapping operations were carried out. The gang was finally cracked by the police. Evidence seized after the suspect’s arrest in Ondo State included 5 AK47 rifles, 2 K2 assault rifles, 180 rounds of live ammunition, 4 suspected locally made improvised explosive devices, 1 pistol and 4 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Likewise, five suspects were arrested in Abuja for conspiracy and kidnapping. The suspects are Emu Larry Chidiebere, 34, Samuel Balogun, 22, Williams Banjo, 28, Babatunde Femi, 30, and Nneka Opara, 32, were arrested for kidnapping foreigners to obtain passports. He demanded a $2,000 ransom from relatives.

From May 30, 2023 to June 2, 2023, the suspect hijacked the victim in the apartment. The suspect took a picture of the victim and forwarded the photo and threatening message to the victim’s girlfriend in Zurich, who eventually wired them $2,000 via Western Union on June 1, 2023.

In addition, police continued to raid the camps of some non-state actors in the southeast to enforce illegal stay-at-home orders, notably in Enugu, Imo and Eboni states. On Friday, July 7, 2023, in Enugu, four suspects were killed after a shootout with army agents while an AK47 loaded with 19 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and two incendiary bombs was seized.

A raid on the hideout of a separatist agitator in Eboni on 5-6 July 2023 resulted in the arrest of 17 suspects and the seizure of a locally made revolver, two license plates and three live ammunition . Similarly, in Imo, police arrested 26 thugs who went on a killing spree after killing a young man and seized 5 firearms, 66 rounds of live ammunition and several other exhibits.

Inspector-General of Police Dr Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police Dr Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, NPM reaffirmed the Nigerian Police Force’s commitment to the continued safety of all while emphasizing that the Nigerian Government will spare no effort to suppress and eradicate criminal acts and heinous activities to the innocent in Nigerian society Non-State actors whose law-abiding members cause pain, hardship and grief.

CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra,
Force Public Relations Officer,
army headquarters,
Abuja

July 13, 2023