The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) said it arrested 118 suspects in coordinated raids across Delta, Akwa Ibom and some other states, recovering arms, ammunition, and other items, while disrupting planned attacks related to robbery, cultism, kidnapping, murder, drug peddling and other forms of criminal activities.
A statement from the force stated the nation-wide exercises were the outcome of intelligence-led operations, conducted simultaneously in various zones, aimed at apprehending criminal syndicates. It said that combined police tactics – such as covert surveillance, tactical raid, stop-and-search operation and other coordinated interventions were applied during the operations.
Related News: Tiwa Savage’s Survival Story Gave Me Strength, Says Former FUOYE SUG President James Adio
The exhibits recovered from the suspects, including the recovery of firearms and other weapons, were allegedly part of plans to execute planned criminal activities, the force disclosed. Communication gadgets, among other items that may assist in tracing the accomplices, were recovered.
“The exercise, which helped in frustrating the planned attacks, was part of the force’s unwavering determination to ensure the safety of the citizenry by flushing out criminals from any part of the country,” the police statement said.
“While further operations were underway to fish out suspects who might have escaped, the recovery of illegal firearms and other illicit items were under investigation, including laboratory analysis, so as to establish nexus to any other existing cases.”
Related News: FG Rules Out Ban on Raw Cocoa Exports, Prioritises Local Value Addition
In Delta State, intelligence-driven operation targeted armed robbers, gun-runners and cultists, and locally made firearms and live ammunition were recovered during the respective raid. The suspects are under investigation for their roles in various crimes in the state.
Similarly, in Akwa Ibom State, intensified operations were carried out against kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery and drug trafficking gangs, leading to the arrests of multiple suspects and recoveries of numerous arms, the statement added.
“These nation-wide coordinated operations continue to build on the ongoing efforts of the Nigeria Police to dismantle criminal organizations in various regions,” the NPF declared.
Related News: Operation Whirl Stroke Troops Neutralise Terrorists, Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Benue
The Nigeria Police Force promised to continue intensifying its clamp down on all criminal elements in the country, and would leverage more intelligence gathering, intelligence driven tactical operations and close collaboration with sister security agencies and local communities in their crime fighting operations.
Members of the public were also implored to continue to cooperate with the force by providing useful information to prevent crimes, arrest criminals and their accomplices.
