The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced that the apprehension of 7 suspects involved in arms smuggling, drug trafficking and currency counterfeiting across various parts of the country.
The suspects are Hauwa Sani, Alhaji Usman Yahaya, Joseph Matthew, Solomon Bala, Yusuf Dantani, Usman Labaran and Musa Mohammed.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police Public Relations Officer disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the accomplishments are the efforts of the NPF’s several tactical teams, including the Force Intelligence Department-Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS).
“On December 23, 2024, at about 5:50 PM, operatives of FID-STS intercepted one Hauwa Sani, a 30-year-old female resident of Doro village, along the Keffi/Abuja Expressway. She was found in possession of 124 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, concealed inside a 5-litre container of palm oil.
“She confessed that one Nasiru of Daura tasked her to deliver the ammunition to Katsina State. Further Investigations have led to several other recoveries and arrests that are undergoing profiling,” the statement partly reads.
Adejobi urged citizens to be wary and remain conscious of the antics of smugglers – and enjoined them to report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities immediately.
The spokesperson revealed that the trio of Yahaya, Matthew and Bala were arrested while attempting to transport illicit drugs around Potiskum area of Yobe State on February 1, 2025.
“In another operation on February 1st, 2025, operatives of the FID-STS, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted Alhaji Usman Yahaya ‘m’ 50, Joseph Matthew ‘m’ 27, and Solomon Bala ‘m’ 25, all residents of Potiskum, Yobe State.
“The suspects were apprehended while transporting 30 cartons of codeine syrups and other various hard drugs around Potiskum. They confessed that the drugs were intended for supply to bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, and kidnappers terrorizing Yobe State and neighbouring countries,” he said.
Similarly, Adejobi pointed out that operatives of the FIF-STS nabbed the trio of Dantani, Labaran and Mohammed – who were found in possession of 10 AK-47 rifles, two days after the previous operation.
“Furthermore, on February 3rd, 2025, operatives of FID-STS, apprehended one Yusuf Dantani ‘m’ 24 yrs, Usman Labaran ‘m’ 32 yrs, and Musa Mohammed ‘m’ 23 yrs with 10 AK-47 rifles. The suspects upon interrogation confessed to being involved in several arms deals, receiving the sum of Three Million Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira (N3,980,000) for the last batch of arms they were supposed to trade,” he stated.
He noted that the successful operations highlight the commitment of the police to proactively combat crime, disrupt criminal networks, and ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its efforts to dismantle criminal enterprises and bring perpetrators to justice. We urge the public to continue to support our efforts by providing timely and accurate information that can aid in crime prevention and detection,” the statement added.
