Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested thirty-nine (39) suspects for their involvement in series of violent crimes including armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, arms trafficking and cybercrime in some parts of the country.
According to the statement released on Tuesday 17th August 2021, by the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba who paraded the suspects, stated that “the arrest was made possible following unrelenting investigative and operational efforts aimed at bringing the perpetrators of these crimes to justice and giving succour to their victims,” he said.
In the statement, CP Frank Mba further said some of the exhibits recovered from the suspects are 2 RPG launchers, 13 AK47 rifles, 4 locally made pistols, 58 wraps of dynamite, 769 AK47 live ammunition, 14 AK47 magazines, 30 live cartridges, mobile phones, 157 SIM cards, amongst other incriminating items.
The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba speaking to reporters also stated that notable among the cases is the arrest of a 4-man notorious trans-border arms smuggling syndicate in Cross River State. “The principal suspect, Ntui Lambert ‘m’ 36-year-old native of Ikom, in Cross River state – whose father is a Nigerian and mother, a Cameroonian – was arrested in possession of different calibre of sophisticated weapons, 58 wraps of explosive materials suspected to be dynamite and ammunition through an intelligence-led operation by Police operatives.
Further investigations by the Police team revealed that the suspect engages in trans-border arms smuggling with his three (3) other gang members who are members of a secessionist group in Cameroun”.
“Similarly, is the arrest of one Yahaya Zakari a.k.a Excellency ‘m’ 46 years old in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Yahaya is a member of a cybercrime syndicate that specializes in stealing mobile phones of innocent citizens, and using their SIM cards to gain access to their bank accounts to carry out unauthorized financial transactions. Other members of his gang are Shehu Aliyu ‘m’ 22 years old, Umar Abubakar ‘m’ 42 years old and Abubakar Mohammed ‘m’ 41 years old. A total of One hundred and fifty-seven (157) SIM cards were recovered from the gang by the Police team”.
Equally, two (2) Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers were also recovered from one 78yrs old Okala Joseph in Makurdi, Benue State.
According to Mba, Police investigations revealed that the suspect is a middleman between criminal suppliers of the weapon and the end-users. He is currently assisting the Police with vital information that will further help in breaking the supply chain and arresting other suspects.
Adding further, CP Mba stated that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), fdc, NPM has reassured citizens that the Force remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of criminal acts are brought to book and justice served to their victims.
He enjoined members of the public to be vigilant and promptly report any suspicious act to the Police. He further advised that citizens should exercise necessary caution in the use of their mobile phones, especially those with SIM cards linked to their bank accounts.
All the suspects will be charged to court on completion of investigations.