Police Arrest 50 Suspected Kidnappers, Terrorists In Nationwide Crackdown

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) operatives have arrested over 50 suspects and recovered a cache of arms, ammunition, and other exhibits in a series of operations against criminals across the country.

The arrests were part of ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to dismantle kidnapping syndicates, gunrunning networks, and other organised criminal groups operating nationwide.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Anthony Okon Placid, said between January and April 2026, operatives of the FID-IRT carried out multiple intelligence-driven operations, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, and other violent crimes.

According to him, “In total, seven major cases were recorded, resulting in the arrest of 50 suspects and the recovery of 17 rifles, 111 rounds of live ammunition, 17 cartridges, magazines, communication devices, vehicles, and other exhibits.”

One of the cases involved the arrest of a suspect identified as Musa Jibrin for unlawful possession of firearms, where police recovered an FNC rifle and a magazine from him, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplice.

The police also arrested four suspects along the Dei-Dei/Kubwa Expressway in Abuja over alleged involvement in abduction, “one-chance” robbery, and extortion. Items recovered from the suspects included a vehicle, mobile phones, and cash believed to be proceeds of crime.

In Benue State, four members of an armed robbery syndicate were arrested for allegedly mounting fake police checkpoints to rob unsuspecting members of the public. The police recovered locally fabricated firearms and a Police Mobile Force uniform used as a disguise.

Similarly, a suspect was arrested in Benue State for illegal possession of an AK-47 rifle, while another suspect was apprehended in Abuja for alleged involvement in car burglary using a fabricated master key.

33 suspects linked to terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and arms trafficking across Kwara and Kogi States were arrested by the police in the period under review. The operation followed the 2025 attack on a church in Eruku, Kwara State. The police recovered items including AK-47 rifles, magazines, an anti-aircraft launcher, and communication devices.