A police officer stops a car at a check point ahead of the February 25 presidential election at Awka in Anambra State, southeast Nigeria, on February 16, 2023. - Many in southeast Nigeria feel alienated from the federal government in Abuja after years of underinvestment. That has fed extremist views about secession for the region where a majority of people are Igbo, one of Nigeria's three main ethnic groups along with Hausa in the north and Yoruba to the southwest. But now, unprecedented in Nigeria's democratic history, a surprise candidate from the southeast has a chance in the race to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, who leaves power after two terms marked by growing insecurity and poverty. (Photo by PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP)
A nationwide security sweep by the Nigeria Police Force has led to the arrest of 50 suspects involved in multiple criminal operations, including fake checkpoints, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and conspiracy.
The development was disclosed on Monday in Abuja by Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, who said the arrests were made during coordinated intelligence-led operations conducted between January and March.
According to the police, the crackdown was carried out by the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), targeting organised criminal networks operating across several states.
Authorities also reported the recovery of weapons and other operational materials used by the suspects. These include assorted firearms, ammunition, cartridges, magazines, communication devices such as walkie-talkies, three vehicles, and several mobile phones.
Placid explained that some of the suspects specialised in mounting illegal roadblocks where they impersonated security operatives to extort and rob motorists and unsuspecting civilians.
He cited an operation on March 3 in Benue State, where four suspects were arrested following an armed robbery incident. Items recovered included a locally fabricated firearm, a revolver pistol, ammunition, and a complete police mobile uniform allegedly used as a disguise.
On March 13 in Abuja, four suspects were arrested along the Deidei–Kubwa Expressway over alleged abduction, robbery, extortion and attempted murder, with stolen items recovered from them.
Placid said three suspected gang leaders were arrested over the killing of three policemen in Taraba State and linked to the March 18 attack on Donga Division and other incidents in Takum.
He added that efforts are ongoing to arrest fleeing suspects and recover weapons.
