Police Arrest 5,936 Suspects for Armed Robbery, Abduction, Other Crimes, Recover 360 Arms, 5,952 Ammunition 

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced a successful clampdown on gunrunning and firearm proliferation, resulting in the arrest of 5,936 suspects for various crimes, including armed robbery, abduction, and murder.

Of the 5,936 arrested suspects, 715 are armed robbery suspects, 306 kidnappers, 533 murder/homicide suspects, 149 suspects for the unlawful possession of firearms, 371 suspects for sexual-related offences, 590 suspected cultists, and 3,272 suspects for other various crimes.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the feat recorded was part of the NPF’s intensified efforts to bolster national security and combat organised crime.

DCP Adejobi also said that it was aimed at tackling gunrunning and significantly reducing the proliferation of prohibited firearms and ammunition across the country.

“At a press briefing held today, August 3rd 2025, at the FID-IRT Base, Guzape, FCT, the Force highlighted some of these notable achievements, detailing the coordinated operations carried out particularly by detectives of the IRT, which led to the rescue of victims, the arrest of suspects, and the recovery of several dangerous firearms. One of such was the arrest of one Jane Anodua.

“Sequel to a case reported by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Plateau State, about incessant abduction and sales of children in the state. Operatives of the FID-IRT took immediate action, arresting the suspect in Rivers State. Upon her arrest, the suspect gave relevant information, leading to the successful rescue of two female children, both 10 years old. She further gave a useful confession about the whereabouts of two more children she assisted in trafficking from Plateau State to Imo State. The victims have been rescued and reunited with their parents.

“Another significant arrest was that of one Tanfa Binbol ‘m’, which occurred on July 13th 2025, at about 11 AM, when operatives of the FID-IRT, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted the suspect. Upon his arrest, the suspect was subsequently questioned and confessed to being a gunrunner operating between Taraba and Plateau States. Further search of the suspect’s premises led to the recovery of 3 AK-47 rifles, 5 pistols, and 1 pump-action rifle,” the statement reads in part.

In a related development, operatives of IRT, acting on credible intelligence at about 11 a.m. on July 27, 2025, apprehended a man identified as Jerauji Ibrahim who hails from Kedeme Demsa LGA, Adamawa State.

The spokesperson revealed that upon Ibrahim’s arrest, he was questioned and subsequently confessed to having in his possession two AK-47 rifles.

“The operatives picked up on this Intel and recovered the arms, along with two magazines and 19 rounds of live ammunition of different calibres.

“Furthermore, following up on several other active cases of gunrunning, banditry and illegal possession of firearms, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team were also able to recover 4 AK 47 Rifles, 1 G-3 Rifle, 1 SMG Rifle, 1 Locally Fabricated Pistol, 1 Revolver Ak-47 Rifle, And 1 Revolver Cartridge Rifle from various hideouts of suspected criminals,” he added.

Adejobi reiterated the security agency’s commitment to its core mandate of safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.

He further stated that the Force will ensure that Nigerians can go about their daily activities in peace and without fear of the unknown.