Daud Olatunji
In a decisive move to bolster public safety, the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Department Tactical Team – DFI-IRT and DFI-STS has apprehended 67 suspects engaged in a range of criminal activities.
Among them were three suspects affiliated with a gunrunning syndicate implicated in the Christmas Eve attack on villages in Plateau state, leading to the death of over 100 persons .
Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, revealing that Ahmed Sulaimon, Balikisu Aliyu, and Aboki Samuel are now in police custody, providing crucial assistance in ongoing investigations.
He added that recoveries from the trio include one AK-47 rifle, 1 AK-49 rifle, 1000 rounds of live ammunition, and 5 magazines.
Adejobi emphasised their significance in the broader context of criminal activities, spanning offences such as kidnapping, gunrunning, one-chance, armed robbery, and banditry nationwide.
Adejobi detailed the operation’s achievements, highlighting the recovery of a staggering arsenal across the country.
According to Adejobi, the seizures include 5,454 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, 300 live cartridges, 50 empty ammunition shells, 68 rifles, and 33 different ATM cards.
He added that in a separate notable operation, four suspects linked to a bank robbery in Otukpo were apprehended, leading to the recovery of nine AK-47 rifles.
He said that a fierce gun duel at their hideout in Taraku village, Buruku LGA of Benue State, resulted in the demise of five suspects, overpowered by the superior firepower of police operatives.
The force PRO in the statement read “The relentless crackdown on criminals and related activities remains paramount, showcasing the police’s tireless efforts to transform Nigeria into a safe space for everyone.
“In furtherance to the sustained efforts of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, to curb crimes and criminality across the country, the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Department Tactical Team- DFI-IRT and DFI-STS have successfully arrested 67 suspects for various crimes ranging from kidnapping, gunrunning, one-chance, armed robbery, banditry across the country.
“ Similarly the Police has recovered 5,454 rounds of live ammunitions of different calibre, 300 live cartridges, 50 empty shells of ammunition, 68 rifles, and 33 different ATM cards amongst others.
“Prominent amongst these achievements, is the arrest of three (3) suspects who are members of a gunrunning syndicate in connection with the Christmas Eve attack on some villages in Plateau State, they are currently in police custody and assisting with investigation.
“The suspects are (1) Ahmed Sulaimon (2) Balikisu Aliyu (3) Aboki Samuel. Upon their arrest, 1 AK-47 rifle, 1 AK-49 rifle, 1000 rounds of live ammunition and 5 magazines were recovered from them.
“Also, 4 suspects were arrested in connection with the bank robbery at Otukpo where Nine (9) AK-47 rifles were recovered from the said suspects while five (5) suspects fell to the superior fire power of Police operatives during a fierce gun duel at their hideout in Taraku village, Buruku LGA of Benue State.
“ They all confessed to committing the heinous act and linked other gang members who are at large and have also named Terzungwe Shionda a.k.a ‘3-star general’ (now late), Terlumum Pila and one Ayuko both at large, to be the ones supplying them arms on loan for their operations.
“The IGP reiterates the commitment of the Police to ensuring the safety and security of our citizens by relentlessly cracking down on criminals and criminally related activities and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure Nigeria is a safe space for everyone.”
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