Nigeria Police Arrest Major Arms Dealer, 1,246 Other Suspects
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested a notorious arms dealer and 1,246 other criminal suspects in the month of October.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this on Wednesday while displaying the suspects and arms and ammunition also recovered in the course of its various operations.
Adejobi gave a breakdown of arrested criminal suspects to include 371 armed robbery suspects, 186 kidnapping suspects, 242 murder/homicide suspects, 63 suspects connected with the unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, 217 rape suspects and 167 suspected cultists.
In addition to this, the police also recovered 210 various firearms and 3172 ammunition of various calibres. The Police was also able to recover 118 stolen vehicles and rescue 64 victims of kidnapping across the country.
Adejobi further disclosed that recent efforts by the Force has led to outstanding breakthrough in the fight against several types of violent crimes across the country, one of which is the arrest of a major arms dealer operating in Plateau State.
Identified as Jubril Musa, the suspect was arrested with 2 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition (long), 1 makarov pistol, 1 fabricated bronny pistol, a single round of 7.8mm live ammunition, 2 rounds of g3 live ammunition, 4 rounds of 7.6mm live ammunition (short), and a single round of 9mm live ammunition.
The suspect further confessed to supplying these various arms and ammunition to bandits and kidnappers operating in the state.
Adejobi conveyed the reassurances of the IGP of the Force’s dedication to enhancing the safety and security of the country, implementing various tactical operations, intelligence-led policing, and community engagement strategies.
“The goal of these initiatives is to establish a substantial decrease in crime rates across the country and the record of significant strides in combating several times of violent crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and cybercrime”, Adejobi stated.
He added that ensuring crimes and criminalities are brought to its lowest in accordance with the Rule of Law, and upholding the highest standards of professionalism in carrying out extant duties of protection of lives and properties would require embracing a multifaceted approach to law enforcement.
