By Augustine Ehikioya
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Tuesday made public the successes it recorded in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, briefed journalists in Abuja. It was monitored by Security Watch Africa (SWA).
Noting that the briefing covered the operational activities of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) of the Force Intelligence Department, he said that it highlighted the first seven major cases handled by the STS across Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Within the seven cases, the Force PRO said that the STS significant successes included “the arrest of multiple high-profile suspects, the recovery of firearms and ammunition, and the disruption of organized criminal networks. In addition, stolen vehicles were recovered, illegal arms supply chains were intercepted, and proactive operations led to the rescue of kidnapped victims and the prevention of further criminal activities, particularly within the FCT and surrounding States.”
He attributed the achievements to the continued commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to intelligence-led policing and decisive action against criminal elements.
The first case on the arrest of notorious armed robbery suspects and recovery of stolen vehicles suspects, he listed the 3 suspects to include Abubakar Musa, 36 years; Hassan Umar, 30 years; Joshua Raphael, 20 years.
The exhibit recovered are Ten (10) vehicles of various brands, including Toyota Hilux trucks, Toyota Corolla cars, a Pontiac Vibe GT, a Honda car, a Lexus vehicle, and a Toyota RAV4.
“Following the marching order of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, operatives of the FID-STS, acting on actionable digital intelligence, arrested the trio of Abubakar Musa, Hassan Umar, and Joshua Raphael on the 16th March 2026 in Kaduna State. These suspects have been on the wanted list of the unit.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that Abubakar Musa, a dismissed Corporal of the Nigerian Army, whose last posting was at the Army School of Artillery, Kachia, Kaduna State, has been impersonating as a serving soldier to evade arrest while perpetrating armed robbery operations alongside his accomplices.”
Their arrest, he said, led to the recovery of ten stolen vehicles of different makes and registration details.
He disclosed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional exhibits.
The second case disclosed during the briefing include the arrest of four armed Banditry suspects and recovery of firearms suspects.
The 4 suspects are Abdumumini Abubakar, 40 years; Maikano Gambo, 47 years; Saleh Thompson, 47 years; Oyonyi Odango, 40 years.
“EXHIBIT RECOVERED: Four (4) AK-47 rifles with magazines; eighty (80) rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition; one (1) locally fabricated pistol with twenty (20) rounds of 9mm ammunition
Operatives of the FID-STS, acting on credible intelligence, arrested Abdumumini Abubakar, Maikano Gambo, Saleh Thompson, and Oyonyi Odango on 7th March 2026 in Tayu, Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are linked to armed robbery and banditry activities within the region.
“During the operation, one of the suspects resisted arrest and attempted to disarm operatives but was proffesionally subdued and sustained an injury; he is currently receiving medical attention.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang and recover additional weapons.”
On the arrest of two kidnapping suspects, Abubakar Yusuf, 40 years; Sani Abubakar, 30 years, he said no exhibit was recovered adding “Following a complaint reported of the kidnap of one Sidi Abubakar in Toto, Nasarawa State who was kidnapped over two months ago, operatives of the FID-STS arrested Abubakar Yusuf and Sani Abubakar on 18th March, 2026.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that Abubakar Yusuf and Sani Abubakar were involved in the abduction of one Sidi Abubakar, for whom a ransom of Six Million Naira (₦6,000,000) was demanded.
“Investigations further revealed that, Abubakar Yusuf had approached the victim’s relative to pay the sum of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦1,500,000).
“After having collected the payment, Abubakar Yusuf was nowhere to be found nor was the victim released.”
The suspects, he said, are currently assisting ongoing efforts to locate the victim dead or alive, while further investigation continues to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
Speaking on the fourth case involving arrest of banditry suspect linked to attacks in Plateau State, he said, no exhibit was recovered from the suspect, Saminu Abdullahi, 25 years.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives of the FID-STS led by the Commander, ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey arrested Saminu Abdullahi on 28th March, 2026 in Apo, FCT Abuja.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that Saminu Abdullahi is connected to ongoing banditry attacks in Plateau State, where he confessed to providing logistical support and cover for bandit groups whenever they want to attack locals.”
Further findings, according to him, revealed, that he also assisted in rearing rustled cows for the bandits.
“The suspect is currently cooperating with operatives in their investigations, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the network,” he stated.
For the arrest of six notorious kidnapping suspects and rescue of victims, he listed the suspects as Yusuf Shuaibu, 23 years; Abubakar Bature, 19 years; Yau Murtala; Bello Suleiman, 19 years; Abdul Kareem Nuhu, 36 years; Ahmed Musa, 28 years.
Noting that the exhibit recovered was nil, he said “Operatives of the FID-STS, acting on actionable digital intelligence, arrested Yusuf Shuaibu, Abubakar Bature, Yau Murtala, Bello Suleiman, Abdul Kareem Nuhu, and Ahmed Musa on 3rd April, 2026 in Kaduna State.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that Yusuf Shuaibu is a kidnapping kingpin with links to a notorious kidnapping syndicate operating under a gang leader known as Kachalla Gwanna, with camps located in Rijana Forest, Kaduna State.
“Further investigation revealed that the suspects were involved in the abduction of CSP Silas Kundi and his son, Enoch Silas, from Kujama Town in October 2025, during which a ransom of Twenty-Four Million Naira (₦24,000,000) and other items was collected.
“Despite this, the victims were not released until Police intervention which led to the rescue of Enoch Silas unharmed, while efforts are still ongoing to rescue CSP Silas Kundi.”
The suspects, he said, are also linked to the kidnapping of one Yusuf Mohammed, Aminu Mohammed, and Aisha Yusuf, where a ransom of Eighteen Million Naira (₦18,000,000) was collected before the victims were rescued through police operations.
“Investigation is ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, rescue remaining victims, and recover operational weapons,” he stated.
In another case, he said AK-47 Rifle and and ammunition were recovered from fleeing bandit suspects, even though no arrest has been made.
He said one exhibit of one (1) AK-47 rifle; one (1) magazine with four (4) rounds of 7.62×39mm live ammunition; one (1) Itel Android phone were recovered.
“In a mop up operation in Taraba State, operatives of the FID-STS, based on actionable intelligence, recovered an one AK-47 rifle and other exhibits on 7th April, 2026 at Chinkai Village, Wukari, Taraba State.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects, including one identified as Alhaji Haruna currently at large, are linked to banditry activities terrorising parts of Taraba State.
“Further findings revealed that the suspects fled upon sighting the FID-STS operatives, abandoning a sack containing the recovered items along a riverbank between Nasarawa and Taraba States before escaping into a nearby bush. The recovered items are undergoing digital analysis to aid ongoing investigations.”
On the final case of arrest of notorious suspects for vandalisation of Government Property and Recovery of Railway Materials, he said 2 suspects, Chisom Goodnews, 32 years; and Ahmed Adamu, 22 years were arrested.
“EXHIBIT RECOVERED: One (1) trailer truck with registration number KRB 355 SX; railway tracks and sleepers weighing approximately sixty (60) tonnes, concealed under sacks of groundnut shells
“Following the expressed directive of the Inspector-General of Police IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu to tactical teams to arrest vandals of government properties, operatives of the FID-STS coordinated by the Commander, ACP Victor Ogbeide Godfrey, acting on actionable intelligence, arrested the duo of Chisom Goodnews and Ahmed Adamu on 9th April, 2026 in Akwanga, Nasarawa State with a trailer load of sixty tons (60-Ton).
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were involved in the transportation of vandalised railway tracks and slippers valued at over Four Hundred Million Naira (₦400,000,000) from Bauchi to Ilorin, Kwara State.
‘These railway tracks and sleepers were concealed under sacks of groundnut shells to evade detection. The trailer truck with registration number KRB 355 SX used for conveyance was also recovered and currently in custody. ”
Investigation, he said, is ongoing to apprehend the intended receiver in Ilorin and other members of the syndicate, as well as to recover additional exhibits.
Concluding, he said, that the cases underscored the effectiveness of the Special Tactical Squad in identifying, targeting, and dismantling criminal networks within the country.
The successes recorded across the seven operations, according to him, are testament to the dedication, professionalism, and resilience of our operatives.
“While these achievements are significant, the Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in sustaining the momentum.
“Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend all fleeing suspects, recover additional weapons, and ensure that all those involved in criminal activities are brought to justice.”
He acknowledged the critical role of the public in supporting law enforcement through timely and credible information.
“We urge citizens to continue to cooperate with the Police as we work collectively to enhance safety and security across the nation,” he stated.
