The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested ten suspects across Plateau, Adamawa, Kaduna, Zamfara, Lagos, Ondo, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations targeting gunrunning, drug trafficking, and kidnapping networks.
The operations led to the recovery of a total sum of N150,000, alongside the seizure of 19 firearms, including seven AK-47 rifles, three pump-action guns, two single-barrelled guns, two Beretta pistols and four locally fabricated revolver rifles.
Also, 189 rounds of live ammunition, magazines, assorted cartridges, and large quantities of illicit drugs, including 24 bags of Indian hemp and other controlled substances, were confiscated.
The achievements were disclosed on Tuesday by the force spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, who provided an overview of the arrests, recoveries, and ongoing investigations linked to the coordinated operations.
Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department carried out the operations—Intelligence Response Team, which relied on sustained intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, surveillance, targeted interception, and follow-up investigations to dismantle interconnected criminal supply chains spanning multiple states.
Providing details, Hundeyin said the operatives moved into Plateau State on September 9, 2025, following credible intelligence that led to the arrest of Adamu Zaki Babangida, a suspected gunrunner. A pump-action rifle was recovered at the point of arrest.
Further investigation resulted in the recovery of four locally fabricated revolver rifles in the same state on October 23, 2025, as investigators intensified efforts to trace other members of the syndicate.
On October 23, 2025, intelligence tracking unlawful firearm possession led to the arrest of Chibuke Nnaji in Plateau State, where a fake gun permit was recovered.
Follow-up investigation linked the document to Joshua Izang, also known as Buffalo, whose arrest resulted in the recovery of a pump-action rifle, two single-barreled guns, and live cartridges, with further suspects still being traced.
(The Nation)
