Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, (NSCDC), Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, have arrested thirteen persons for various offences ranging from unlawful possession of explosives, (dynamite), vandalism and illegal dealings in petroleum products and possession of arms and ammunition among others.
Parading the suspects before newsmen at the National Headquarters of the Corps in Sauka, Abuja, the Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, said that the arrests were made following credible Intelligence.
Contained in a statement signed by the national spokesman of the agency, Babawale Afolabi, Dr. Audi said some of the suspects were nabbed for attempted murder and criminal conspiracy.
The first 5-member gang of suspects who are all male were arrested around Tebetaba Community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, (LGA), in Bayelsa State and preliminary investigation reveals that they pretended to be Private Security Guards, (PSGs), to enable the carrying out their evil deeds.
They gave their names as Ayibadenyefa Julius, 32 years, Derekebuna Owo, 28 years, Preye Wolson 32Years, Olofini Deseyei 29Years and John Samuel, age 32years.
Exhibits recovered from the 5-member gang include 1 explosive dynamite, 1 pumping machine, 1 full park of welding electrode, 2 spanners, 11 bolts and knots and 5 aprons tagged ‘Dalon Security Services’.
Another suspect Jibrin Abdullahi, 35 year old male, was also arrested by the NSCDC operatives for being in possession of an iPhone 6s Pro belonging to a Woman who was kidnapped on 10th January 2024 on her way from Deidei to Dupei behind Zuma Rock.
In the process of arrest, he attempted to stab the operatives of the Corps. Among the exhibits recovered from the suspect are 2 packs of phones, 1 white charger, a Zenith Bank debit card, an Issuance letter, as well as 5 packs of SIM cards; 2 Glo and 3 Airtel.
Others include 1 original with 2 photocopies of the National Identity, (ID), Card with NIN 56898998386, photocopy of BVN print out with the name Jibrin Abdullahi, 4 slips of DAS Int, Lafia eye treatment and payment Slip, 4 different phone receipts purchased by Jibrin Abdullahi and belonging to Mohammed Abdulahi, 6 passport photograph and a Military camouflage shorts.
Five other other suspects who are involved in the sales of arms and ammunition to suspected bandits and kidnappers at Bagaji Road, Keffi, Nassarawa State have also been arrested.
The were caught in a joint operation with other security agencies and following a fierce gun dual, the NSCDC disclosed.
The names of the suspects are John Ishaya (M) 37 years, Umar Ali (M) 29 years, Dauda Idris (M) 39 years Ibrahim Mohammed (M) 36 years and Augustine Deyi (M) 49 years.
“Items recovered from the suspects are one red-coloured Golf car, 1 Infinix phone, 1 Itel button phone, 1 sharp knife, 1 wristwatch and assorted charms.
“Also recovered from the trio is the sum of ₦175, 000 cash for the purchase of ammunition at the point of purchasing and about 130 pieces of AK-47 ammunition.
“Investigation has uncovered that one of the suspects, John Ishaya is an ex-convict who led a robbery operation on 24th December, 2023.”
“In that robbery incident, the syndicate proceeded to the residence of one of their victims in Lafiya Town, Nassawa State where the victim’s car was snatched at gunpoint.
“Ishaya, a notorious criminal suspect is a kingpin in the robbery case and has been on the watch list of the Corps until his arrest.
“He was arrested ab initio as a gun runner supplying ammunition to kidnappers, bandits and terrorists operating along Nassawa-Abuja terrain,” the statement notes.
Also arrested by the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad are two suspects for vandalism and conveyance of rail track slippers.
The suspects were caught with a trailer load of vandalized rail track slippers and tracks concealed in apparel sugarcane plot at Kwoi- kangarko- Tafa- Jere Road in Kaduna State.
Names of the suspects are given as Richard Istifanus (M) 31 years and Usman Yusuf (M) 44 years would be charged in Court after a thorough Investigation.
The CG said “We will dig deep to unravel and expose those sponsoring vandalism and trading of Railway Slippers across the nation and when we apprehend them, we will bring them to book, the CG vows.
“As a lead and coordinating agency in the Protection of all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure across the nation, our commitment to this task remains strong and unwavering, the Corps helmsman added.
“We reassure the public of diligent and professional investigation after which all the suspects would be charged to court”.
He said Corps is committed in it’s resolve to fighting and reducing crimes in the country in synergy with sister agencies to the barest minimum as well as intensify nationwide surveillance on critical national assets and Infrastructure, (CNAI), calling on the public to support this effort with information on suspicious activities.
