The Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) has said its operatives played a key role in assisting the Nigeria Police Force to apprehend a notorious robbery gang in Abuja linked to the killing of an Arise News staff member, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami.
Assistant Commander-General, North Central Zonal Command of the NFSS, Abdulhakeem Ibrahim, told journalists that his team, in collaboration with the police, arrested five suspects notorious for attacks in Zuba and its environs.
According to Ibrahim, the operation followed two consecutive raids by the gang on a popular hotel in Zuba.
He said NFSS operatives, acting on police directives, mounted a checkpoint near the hotel, which led to a major breakthrough.
“When the gang returned for another attack, they ran into our checkpoint. After a brief chase, they fled, abandoning their driver, who was later apprehended and handed over to the police,” he said.
He added that further investigations led to the arrest of additional suspects and the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, and a Beretta pistol from their hideout.
Ibrahim commended the synergy between the NFSS and the police, describing it as essential to sustaining community safety and strengthening grassroots intelligence.
“Police cannot do without us, and we cannot do without the police. That is how we work,” he stated.
He appealed to the government to support the NFSS, noting that many of its operatives have served for years without remuneration or welfare packages.
“Our operatives are risking their lives to assist formal security agencies. We only ask for support to continue doing our job,” he added.
Ibrahim also lauded the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for recognising the NFSS’s role in tackling insecurity, and commended the Commander-General, Dr Joshua Osatimehin, and Deputy Commander-General (Intelligence), Dr John Metchie, for their leadership and support.
He reaffirmed the NFSS’s commitment to continue working with security agencies to curb criminal activities across the country.
