The police have arrested 50 suspected terrorists, kidnappers and armed robbers in its ongoing campaign against high-profile criminality in parts of the country.
The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Anthony Placid, he announced that the police also recovered high-grade weapons such as a substantial cache of arms, including an anti-aircraft launcher and 17 rifles, in the nationwide crackdown.
“From January 2026 to date, operatives have successfully dismantled various clandestine cells, recovering:
1. Seventeen (17) rifles of various models
1. One (1) Anti-Aircraft Launcher,
2. One-hundred and eleven (111) rounds of live ammunition,
3. Seventeen (17) live cartridges
4. Five (5) Walkie-Talkie Communication devices used by suspects to coordinate their criminal activities
5. Nine (9) magazines
6. Three (3) mobile phones
7. One (1) Golf vehicle
The statement further disclosed that among the most notable successes is the dismantling of thirty-three (33) member gang responsible for acts of terrorism, cattle rustling, and the violent attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara State.
The statement read: “Following the attack on the C.A.C in Eruku Town, Ekiti LGA of Kwara State on 20th November 2025, operatives of the IRT, acting on credible human and technical intelligence, conducted coordinated operations across Kwara and Kogi States.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the gang was involved in criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of firearms, arms dealing, and acts of terrorism, for which a prima facie case has been established.
“The gang members were arrested at multiple locations, including Gbugbu, Oro-Ago, Babanla, Kaiama, Awi, Charagi, Patigi, and Oke-Ode.
“During operations, the suspects abandoned an anti-aircraft rifle and three AK-47 rifles, which were subsequently recovered by the police.
“Investigation is ongoing to apprehend any fleeing members of the gang to recover additional operational weapons.”
The Force also said that it secured justice for its own, apprehending the kingpins responsible for the recent murder of three police officers attached to Donga Divisional Headquarters, in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The statement added: “The recent operations, conducted by the Force Intelligence Department-Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), represent a strategic offensive against syndicates that have long threatened the peace of the nation.”
Also, the police said that it made significant strides in securing the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding states by arresting specialised units involved in “one-chance” abductions, car burglaries, and the operation of fake police checkpoints.
“These arrests have not only removed dangerous individuals from the streets but have also led to the recovery of stolen property and operational assets used to terrorize unsuspecting citizens.
“In the same vein, operatives of the FID-IRT, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Nasiru Ibrahim aged 25 years with one (1) AK-47 rifle, one (1) AK-47 rifle magazine and eight (8) rounds of live ammunition. Preliminary investigation uncovered that the suspect, revealed to operate within Igumale area of Benue state, is linked to a notorious bandit identified as Janari who had allegedly sold the AK-47 rifle to him.
Efforts are, however, underway to apprehend Janari and other members of the syndicate with additional weaponry.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to a more secured Nigeria, noting that these achievements serve as a testament to the relentless efforts of the Nigeria Police in the pursuit of justice. Several main suspects are ready for prosecution in courts of competent jurisdiction and the Force is actively pursuing other accomplices and more illegal weapons.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mission to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of every citizen, utilizing both human and technical intelligence to stay ahead of criminal elements,” the statement concluded.