The suspects were arrested for alleged involvement in the sale of firearms and ammunition to bandits and kidnappers.
By Saidu Idris
365Daily – The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 13 people over alleged unlawful possession of arms, explosives and ammunition.
NSCDC Commandant General (CG), Ahmed Audi, made this disclosure while briefing journalists at the Corps’ Abuja headquarters on Saturday, January, 27, 2024.
Represented by NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, the CG explained that the suspects were arrested separately in groups and individually in locations across the country.
According to him, some of them were involved in vandalism of public infrastructure and assets, as well as other nefarious activities.
Five of the suspects were arrested for alleged involvement in the sale of firearms and ammunition to bandits and kidnappers, Audi stated, adding that the arrests were made by the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, in collaboration with other security agencies.
N175,000 cash allegedly meant for the purchase of 130 pieces of AK-47 ammunition, a red golf car, one Infinix phone, one Itel button phone, one knife, one wrist watch and charms were recovered from the suspects, the NSCDC boss added.
Speaking further, the CG said that one John Ishaya, who was among the arrested suspects, was a notorious criminal and ex-convict on the watch list of the corps.
He added that two others were arrested while conveying vandalised rail track slippers and tracks concealed under sugarcane along Kwoi-Kagarko-Tafa-Jere road in Kaduna State.
“We will dig deep to unravel and expose those sponsoring vandalism and trading of railway slippers across the nation.
“When we apprehend them, we will bring them to book,” Mr Audi said.
The CG further said that apart from the 13 suspects, five others were arrested around Tebetaba Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State.
He stated, “Preliminary investigation revealed that they pretended to act as private security guards to carry out nefarious crimes.
“Exhibits recovered from the 5-member suspects included: one explosive dynamite, one pumping machine, and one full park of welding electrodes.
“Two spanners, 11 bolts and knots and five aprons tagged Dalon Security Services.”
According to him, another suspect, Jubril Abdullahi, was arrested in possession of a phone belonging to a woman who was kidnapped.
“Jibrin was caught with an iPhone 6s Pro owned by a woman who was kidnapped on January 10, 2024, in Abuja.
“Among the exhibits recovered from the suspect are: two phone packs, one white charger, bank debit cards, an issuance letter, five packs of SIM cards, passports and documents belonging to other persons.”
The CG reassured the public of a diligent and professional investigation, after which all the suspects will be charged to court.