The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says its operatives have arrested 20 suspects for various degrees of involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, murder vandalism, other crimes across the country.
The Commandant of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) which made the arrests, AS Dandaura, disclosing this on Thursday, said the suspects were responsible for heinous crimes across the FCT, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and Ondo states, between October and November.
He added that the arrests were in line with the NSCDC CG, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi’s directive on clamping down on criminal activities and conducting thorough investigation into cases bordering on high profile syndicate operations across the federation.
Dandaura said 2 of the suspects were confirmed through investigation to be terrorist/militia suspects linked to recent communal attacks alongside 5 major buyers of stolen accessories to the crime.
He further disclosed that 2 suspected vandals of essential public infrastructure (AEDC installations) were also apprehended with 3 other suspects arrested for fraud and related offences.
Following the arrests, 2 AK-47 rifles, 2 G3 rifles (recovered in Ondo State), 65 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunitions, 1 Toyota Corolla LE 2010 vehicle (snatched at gunpoint), 4 motorcycles (snatched/stolen) as well as various mobile phones, electronics, charms, and cash were recovered.
On the arrest involving the terrorism, kidnapping and murder syndicate in Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa, Dandaura noted that based on actionable intelligence the squad arrested one Ibrahim Hudu, aged 30 and Hassan Ibrahim, aged 23 in Lafia, Nasarawa state who admitted and confessed their involvement in the crime, adding that the suspects had kidnapped and killed one Mr. Obasanjo H. Aku along Lafia-Akwanga Road after collecting ransom.
The duo also confessed to kidnapping and killing one Mr. Muhammadu Yaka, a farmer in Nasarawa Eggon. They executed their victim after collecting ransom because he recognized one of the gang members (Boddum).
Dandaura said that according to investigation, Hassan Ibrahim has direct link to militia attacks in Yelwata community, Guma LGA of Benue state, and communities in Qua’an-Pan LGA of Plateau state. He confessed to looting and setting houses ablaze in Yelwata and further participated in an attack on Fili (Nteng) village where they were ambushed by military personnel, leading to the death of their syndicate members Umar and Korijo.
The Exhibits recovered from this syndicate were: 1 AK-47 rifle, 1 magazine, 40 rounds of 7.62x39mm special ammunition and charms.
Speaking on the arrest of suspects for kidnapping and highway robbery in Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi and Kaduna states, Commandant Dandaura said the CG’S SIS arrested the following suspects in Lafia and environs: Bamaiyi Mustapha, aka Dan Borno, John Ishaya, aka Baushe and James Bako who is popularly called Muchake, who have all confessed to attempted kidnap of high-profile individuals in Nasarawa state, including Turaki Gamji and Alhaji Bil-adama.
“This gang is also linked to numerous armed robbery operations across Lambata (Niger), Kogi, Kaduna Road, and Akwanga in Nasarawa including high-way robbery on the Minna-Niger Road and Abuja-Kaduna Road and investigation revealed that they are heavily involved in cattle rustling in Nasarawa state”, he said.
Furthermore, in a major success in the fight against arms proliferation, the CG’s SIS arrested one Iseoluwa Shadrach Omosehin (27yrs) in Ondo state and recovered 2-G3 rifles with Breach numbers 6911856 and 69047064 respectively.
The Squad also successfully apprehended individuals tampering with critical infrastructure and national assets in Nasarawa state where Nyitamen George (34yrs, Tiv) was arrested for illegally tampering with electrical installations, illegal connections and fraudulently collecting monthly electricity bills remitted to his personal purse.
The Commandant CG’S SIS noted that the operational success also extended to dismantling the logistics and financial chain of their business associates as 5 suspects were arrested for their involvement as buyers and receivers of crime items from kidnapping and robbery operations.
Amin Omaku purchased 1 Toyota Corolla LE 2010 model and 3 motorcycles; Emmanuel Sale purchased 2 mobile phones (Tecno Spark 3 and Redmi A3) and 2 televisions; Victor Eze Friday bought 1 Samsung Galaxy S10E Phone; Sunday Thankgod was caught with iPhone 14 Pro, while Hassan Bawa was apprehended while in custody of 1 motorcycle.
“Let me reaffirm the Commandant General’s commitment to rid the nation of the scourge unleashed by economic saboteurs, vandals and crime perpetrators as these arrests underscore the unwavering commitment of the NSCDC to salvage our communities from criminal elements and ensure the safety of lives and properties of citizens in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR”, Dandaura said.
He assured the public that all suspects would be charged to court immediately upon the conclusion of thorough investigations and urged Nigerians to continue to provide actionable intelligence to the NSCDC and other security agencies to help them clamp down on criminal activities in the nation.
