The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested 20 persons for various offences, allegedly posing threats to Nigeria’s national security.
The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
Afolabi said the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, acting on the directive of the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, carried out the arrests between October and November as part of ongoing operations to clamp down on criminal activities across the country.
Giving a breakdown of the arrests, Afolabi said eight suspects were apprehended for alleged involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, and murder.
“Two were confirmed terrorists/militia suspects linked to recent communal attacks; five allegedly engaged in the transaction of stolen goods associated with crimes; two are suspected vandals of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company installations, while three were allegedly arrested for their involvement in fraud and other related offences,” he stated.
He said the arrests were made across Abuja, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and Ondo States, adding that the operation demonstrated that “there is no hiding place for persons with criminal intentions in the country.”
Afolabi explained that during interrogation and investigation, it was discovered that a kidnap syndicate killed two of their victims in Nasarawa after collecting ransom.
According to him, the corps recovered various items from the suspects, including two AK-47 rifles, two G3 rifles, 65 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one Toyota Corolla LE (2010 model) reportedly snatched at gunpoint, four allegedly stolen or snatched motorcycles, electronics, cash, charms, and mobile phones, among other items.
He said the arrests underscored the NSCDC’s commitment to ridding communities of criminal elements and ensuring the safety of lives and property, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Afolabi added that all arrested suspects would be charged to court upon completion of ongoing investigations.
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