Police Tactical Teams Intercept Massive Haul of 460 GPMG Ammunitions being transfered along Abuja – Kaduna road for delivery to Bandits/Terrorists.

Operatives of the Police Intelligence Response team on Wednesday intercepted a 20 year old boy with 460 rounds of live GPMG (General Purpose Machine Guns) being transported along Abuja – Kaduna road to be delivered to bandits and terrorists in Kaduna state

The massive high calibre ammunition according to Umar Abubakar (messanger) was given to him by the driver of the vehicle he boarded from Zamfara state, whom he could not recollect his name to be delivered to a receiver whom he did not know at the Kaduna motor park.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi who made this known during the parade of 19 criminal elements comprising one chance suspects, Kidnappers and bandits, gun runners among others noted that the young Umar did not know what he was asked to deliver because the luggage was already loaded in the vehicle.

Adejobi reiterated his advise to Nigerians to always be sceptical and be vigilant to know the erands people were asking them to deliver because terrorists and bandits knowing fully well that security agencies now, know their modus operandi of moving arms and ammunition are going for young children to beat security checks.

He disclosed that in the last fortnight, operatives of the IRT and the Special Tactical Squad (STS) have apprehended 19 suspects who have been engaging in various illicit activities.

“Among the exhibits recovered from these suspects are items such as: 5 AK-47 rifles, 5 pump action rifle, 150 live cartridges, one bullet proof jacket, one night vision telescope, military uniforms, one torch light, one boot, one AA Ammunition, Six Magazines, One hundred and forty two AK-47.

He said “Muhammad Abubakar, male, 24 years, native of Jangefe, Zamfara State and Shehu Muhammad, male, 35 years, native of Anka, Zamfara State who are confessed kidnappers were apprehended through a coordinated effort between FID-IRT operatives and local vigilantes in Asawa village, Kogi State.

“These suspects have been responsible for a series of robberies in Benin, Edo state and multiple kidnappings in Okene, Kogi State. They embarked on their criminal activities about four years ago and have since orchestrated four successful kidnappings.

“The suspects received one million Naira in ransom from their first and second operations, three hundred thousand Naira from the third, and two million Naira from the fourth.

“Their criminal activities came to an end following a fierce gun battle with our operatives, during which they were captured after exhausting their ammunition. The successful apprehension of these suspects marks a significant victory in the fight against kidnapping and robbery in the region.

For one chance criminals, Chukwudi and Okeke who had been in the criminal business for over 20 years who were paraded, ACP Adejobi said, “This case is sequel to the ‘one chance’ robbery case that was previously presented during our press briefing on the 12th of April, 2024.

“Chukwudi, with 22 years of experience in ‘one chance’ robbery, has demonstrated a mastery of deceptive tactics used in these criminal activities.

“Both Chukwudi and Okeke were identified as persons of interest following interrogations of previous ‘one chance’ suspects.

‘”Their criminal activities came to an end when the diligent operatives of FID-IRT successfully apprehended them in Suleja.

Five suspects, Ibrahim Shehu, male, 30 years, Ibrahim Ardo, male, 32 years, Ibrahim Amodu, male, 50 years, Ibrahim Mohammed, male, 50 years and Ayo Johnson, male, 30 years, from Wukari
were arredted in possession of one AK 47 rifle and 4 AK 49 rifles.

“Also recovered from them were 80 rounds of live ammunitions including 57 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition

“Following intelligence received from the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) of the Force Intelligence Department Unit, Abuja, indicating the presence of a gun-running syndicate operating in Taraba State, a team of FID STS operatives stationed in Taraba State conducted covert operations and arrested the 5 suspects.

“Preliminary investigations also revealed the involvement of some security personnel as the suppliers of arms and ammunition to militias and bandits operating within the North-Central region.

“On 16/04/2024, based on intelligence and interception from the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), FID-IRT operatives successfully arrested three notorious arms dealers: Clement Joshua, Raymond Emanya, and Ishaya Ajiji Musa.

“The suspects, residents of Plateau State, confessed during interrogation to being part of a gang that supplies arms and ammunition to criminal elements in Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Benue States.

Furthermore, the Force PRO said, “As we mark the first year of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, in alignment with the President’s economic recovery agenda, social integration and general development of our dear country.

“Over the past year, we have made substantial progress in arresting individuals involved in crime, including 4,826 armed robbery suspects, 3,078 kidnapping suspects, 2,479 suspects for rape/sexual crimes, 1,243 for unlawful possession of firearms, 3,523 for cultism, and 3,381 for murder/homicide.

“Additionally, 13,402 suspects were arrested for other offenses. We have also rescued 1,750 kidnap victims and recovered 2,566 firearms, 19,510 rounds of ammunition, and 1,475 vehicles/motorcycles nationwide.

“The Force successfully prosecuted a total of 29,152 criminal cases across the country in one year.

“Remarkably, 17,679 of these cases have been conclusively dispensed with, while 11,576 cases are still undergoing trial.

“Additionally, 51 cases are currently under appeal at the respective appellate courts.

“Out of the dispensed cases, an impressive 16,200 have led to the conviction of suspects who have been handed various forms of punishments for their criminal acts.

“We continue to strive towards our goal of a safer and more secure Nigeria, leveraging on the dedication of our officers and the synergy between the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies, as well as timely support from the community.”