Pix: NSCDC CG, Dr Ahmed Audi

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested five suspects allegedly involved in gunrunning, kidnapping, banditry, and job racketeering across different states.

The operation was carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) according to a statement released on Thursday by CSC Babawale Afolabi, the National PRO for NSCDC.

The squad’s operation led to the arrest of three men—Umar Ibrahim (35), Nura Abubakar (20), and Mohammed Sule (20)—in Ukoso Komva Ward, Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The suspects were allegedly caught in possession of a cache of illegal firearms, including—two automatic rifles with three magazines, one AK-47 rifle with 15 live rounds, one FN rifle with two live rounds, nine locally fabricated pistols, one live cartridge, a bayonet and two pairs of Nigerian Forest Security Service uniforms.

According to preliminary investigations, the trio claimed they were deceived into the crime by a fugitive identified only as Ali, who allegedly recruited them to assist in selling firearms.

Afolabi noted that suspects were arrested en route to delivering the weapons to a buyer.

Upon interrogation, the suspects pleaded for mercy and warned others against engaging in criminal activities.

The statement read, “The Sqaud arrested 4 suspects who were allegedly involved in illegal possession of firearm, gunrunning, kidnapping, banditry and Job racketeering.

“The CG’s SIS also recovered 2 automatic riffles with three magazines; an AK47 with 15 live ammunition, one FN riffle with two live ammunition, one live cartridge with nine locally fabricated pistols, one bionet, two pair of Nigerian Forest Security Services uniform among others items.

“The 3 among the suspects all male gave their names as Umar Ibrahim, 35 years, Nura Abubakar, 20, and Mohammed Sule 20 years respectively were all arrested at Ukoso Komva Ward, Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

“Upon Interrogations 3 of the suspects claimed that they were deceived into the crime by one Ali who is currently at large as he earlier invited them to assist him with the sales of fire arms in his possession.

“They were however apprehended on their way to deliver it to the buyer

“In their separate but similar confessional statements, they called on those with intention to indulge in the dastardly act to desist as they pleaded for mercy.”

In a related operation, Lar Changkur, a volunteer with the Nigerian Forest Security Services, was arrested in Bauchi State for alleged involvement in gunrunning.

The NSCDC Special Squad also arrested 62-year-old Felix Clerkson in Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State, for job racketeering.

NSCDC Special Squad recovered over 120 fake NSCDC appointment letters, which revealed that Clerkson had defrauded desperate job seekers of a N55m.

He shared the illicit proceeds with accomplices who remain at large but are currently being tracked.

The suspect, who initially admitted to collecting N26m, was later found to have swindled victims of more than double that amount.

“The CG’s SIS has also arrested a 62-year-old called Felix Clerkson for his involvement in job racketeering.
During preliminary Investigation, over 120 fake letters of appointment into the NSCDC. were recovered.

“Felix who was picked up at Nasarawa Eggon in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State following a tip off admitted to have defrauded desperate and unsuspecting victims to the whopping sum of over 26million naira.

“Our ongoing investigation however revealed that the suspect has swindled his victims to the tune of fifty five million Naira (N55,000,000:00) part of which he shared with his accomplices currently at large but are being trailed by our men,” the statement added.

The NSCDC reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling criminal networks, and assured that all suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.