The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 20 individuals for various offences believed to threaten national security.
This was disclosed by the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, during a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
Afolabi explained that the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, acting under the directive of the Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, made the arrests between October and November as part of nationwide operations targeting criminal activities.
He detailed that eight suspects were apprehended for alleged involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, and murder; two were identified as terrorists linked to recent communal attacks; five were arrested for trading in stolen goods; two for vandalising Abuja Electricity Distribution Company facilities; and three others for fraud-related offences.
“The arrests were made across Abuja, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and Ondo States, showing that there is no hiding place for persons with criminal intentions in the country,” Afolabi stated.
He revealed that during interrogation, a member of a kidnapping gang confessed to killing two victims in Nasarawa after collecting ransom and also admitted involvement in attacks in Benue and Plateau States.
Recovered items from the suspects included two AK-47 rifles, two G3 rifles, 65 rounds of live ammunition, a snatched Toyota Corolla, four stolen motorcycles, electronics, charms, and cash.
Afolabi said the operation reflects the NSCDC’s resolve to secure communities and support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He added that all suspects would be charged to court after investigations.
“We urge Nigerians to continue to provide actionable intelligence to the NSCDC and other security agencies to help us clamp down on criminal activities in the nation,” he said.
In a related operation, the NSCDC Kano State Command also arrested a motorcycle thief and a suspected illegal drug dealer in the Kumbotso Local Government Area.
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