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IMO POLICE NAB FOUR KIDNAPPING SUSPECTS, RECOVER ARMS

The Imo State Police Command has apprehended four suspected kidnappers during a raid on their hideout in Irete, Owerri West Local Council. The operation, led by the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, also resulted in the recovery of arms. According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, the arrests followed credible intelligence and multiple complaints from residents regarding repeated attacks, abductions, and other violent crimes by unknown gunmen. The suspects, identified as Sulieman Ahmed (26), Mohammed Salisu (31), and Gambo Jefta (26), all from Jigawa State, as well as Gabriel Ogbuzuru from Ebonyi State, were arrested during a coordinated raid on March 2, 2025. Recovered items included three fabricated guns, six rounds of live cartridges, and three machetes. Okoye stated, “This operation is part of ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements responsible for the recent surge in abductions and other violent crimes in the area.” He added that the suspects are currently in custody and will face prosecution. In a follow-up operation on March 3, 2025, CP Aboki Danjuma led further combing operations in the area to apprehend other fleeing suspects. The Commissioner of Police has also intensified security measures, including patrols and collaboration with local vigilantes, to restore peace in the region. He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police through the command’s emergency hotlines.

NIGERIA POLICE FORCE DENIES REPORT OF MISSING ARMS

The Nigeria Police Force has expressed surprise and deep concerns regarding recent news alleging that 3,907 arms are missing from the force. In a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, described the allegations as “misleading and inaccurate”. The statement explained that the report appears to stem from an assessment of the report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, AuGF, dating back to 2019, likely reflecting records compiled prior to the current Inspector-General of Police’s tenure. Adejobi noted that the report stated that 3,907 arms were unaccounted for, not “missing” as speculated by the news. The police attributed discrepancies to periods of civil unrest, during which several police officers were killed and their arms carted away, and some attacks and looting of police facilities and armories, resulting in the loss of arms. However, every effort has been made to account for the arms that were taken, while many have been recovered back to the arms holding of the force at the moment. Olumuyiwa Adejobi also emphasized that the police have a statutory and annual internal auditing process, which includes stringent measures to ensure controlled movement and proper accountability of arms. Throughout their audits, there has been no outrageous record of unaccounted or missing arms, as speculated in the 2019 report of the AuGF. The Senate Public Accounts Committee conducted an inquiry on Tuesday with Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun regarding the issue of missing firearms. During the session, Egbetokun expressed regret for not attending previous meetings, attributing his absence to the demands of his role. Adejobi clarified that the IGP appeared briefly before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, to address prior invitation snubs before departing, leaving the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Police Accounts and Budget, to answer the queries of the committee. The Senate Committee has scheduled another meeting with the IGP for February 17, 2025, to present a detailed report on the missing firearms and the contract issues.

TROOPS CAPTURE NOTORIOUS GUNRUNNERS, RECOVER ARMS AND AMMUNITION IN SOUTHERN KADUNA

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), on Operation Golden Peace, have arrested a notorious gunrunner, Mr. Timothy Yusuf, 62, and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The operation was carried out following intelligence provided by the Air Intelligence Unit in Abuja. During the operation, the troops recovered 11 fabricated AK-47 rifles, 2 AK-47 magazines, and 60 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition. The suspect and the recovered arms and ammunition are currently in custody for further action, while efforts are ongoing to track and arrest other members of the gunrunning syndicate. The troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain satisfactory, according to the Special Situation Report (SITREP) from Operation Golden Peace. This operation is a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the region.