Police Nabs Crime syndicates, Seize Firearms, Explosives, Fake Currency Worth $970,000
In what looks like a major clamp down on operators of the underworld , the Nigeria Police Force has successfully apprehended 54 suspects involved in a series of criminal activities, including kidnappings and armed robberies.
The operation also led to the confiscation of a significant arsenal of weapons, including 92 firearms of various calibers, 760 rounds of ammunition, 120 magazines, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and counterfeit currency amounting to $970,000.
Among the captured suspects are Nneka Okparaf (33), Emu Larry Chidiebere (34), Babatunde Femi (30), Williams Banjo Omotayo (28), and Samuel Balogun (22), each hailing from different states across Nigeria.
These remarkable achievements were made possible by the diligent efforts of the Department of Force Intelligence – Intelligence Response Team, a specialized unit within the NPF.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, unveiled these successes during a press briefing held in Abuja.
He revealed, “A total of 54 suspects were apprehended by the dedicated operatives of DFI-IRT and DFI-STS. Some of them are already facing prosecution in court for their alleged involvement in various criminal cases.”
Adejobi continued, “In addition to the arrests, we have seized 92 firearms, 760 live ammunition, 14 exhibit vehicles, one forged document, 120 magazines, two IEDs, one suicide belt, and a substantial sum of fake currencies totaling $970,000, all of which will serve as vital evidence for the prosecution of these cases.”
One particularly significant outcome of this operation was the apprehension of five principal suspects linked to the kidnapping of a Swiss national named Diego Tanner. Mr. Tanner was abducted on May 30, 2023, and subsequently released after a ransom payment of 2000 euros.
The diligent efforts of the IRT operatives, supported by the Nigeria Police Force’s advanced ICT apparatus, led to the arrest of all five key suspects involved in the kidnapping case.
This operation not only resulted in the capture of the suspects but also yielded crucial evidence, including the recovery of one assault rifle, two locally fabricated single-barrel long guns, and an empty magazine.
The Nigeria Police Force continues its unwavering commitment to bringing criminals to justice and maintaining the safety and security of the nation.
