The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended 20 individuals for various offences believed to threaten national security.
The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, announced this during a press conference on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Afolabi, the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, acting under the directive of the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, made the arrests between October and November as part of a nationwide operation to curb criminal activities.
He further revealed that eight of the suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, and murder.
“Two were confirmed terrorists/militia suspects linked to recent communal attacks; five allegedly engaged in the transaction of stolen goods associated with crimes; two are suspected vandals of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company installations, while three were allegedly arrested for their involvement in fraud and other related offences,” he stated.
He said the arrests were made across Abuja, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and Ondo States, adding that the operation demonstrated that “there is no hiding place for persons with criminal intentions in the country.”
Afolabi explained that during interrogation and investigation, it was discovered that a kidnap syndicate killed two of their victims in Nasarawa after collecting ransom.
“One of the members also confessed to his direct involvement in attacks in Yelwata community, Benue, and Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area in Plateau State,” he said.
According to him, the corps recovered various items from the suspects, including two AK-47 rifles, two G3 rifles, 65 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one Toyota Corolla LE (2010 model) reportedly snatched at gunpoint, four allegedly stolen or snatched motorcycles, electronics, cash, charms, and mobile phones, among other items.
He said the arrests underscored the NSCDC’s commitment to ridding communities of criminal elements and ensuring the safety of lives and property, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Afolabi added that all arrested suspects would be charged to court upon completion of ongoing 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.