NSCDC Parades 13 Suspects For Unlawful Possession Of Explosives, Illegal Arms, Ammunition

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded 13 suspects arrested on charges of unlawful possession of explosives, illegal arms, and ammunition, among other offenses.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the paramilitary group’s spokesman, Babawale Afolabi, the clampdown followed a recent directive from the Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi, mandating personnel to intensify nationwide surveillance on critical national assets and infrastructure.

He stated that 11 suspects were arrested by Corps operatives from the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad for unlawful possession of explosives (dynamite), vandalism, and illegal dealings in petroleum products.

He went on to say that the suspects were also arrested for illegal dealing in arms and ammunition, vandalism of oil pipelines, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and miscellaneous offenses.

According to the statement, the CG at the parade stated that the arrests were based on credible intelligence.

The CG, who was represented by the NSCDC’s National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of the Corps, Babawale Afolabi, expressed the Corps’ commitment and resolve to fight crime in the country to the bare minimum in collaboration with sister agencies, and urged the public to support this effort.

He stated that the first five suspects, all of whom are male, gave their names as Ayibadenyefa Julius, 32, Derekebuna Owo, 28, Preye Wolson, 32, Olofini Deseyei, 29, and John Samuel, 32.

He stated that the suspects were apprehended in Tebetaba Community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State and that the preliminary investigation revealed that they pretended to be Private Security Guards but ended up carrying out their evil deeds.

Exhibits recovered from the 5-member suspects include “an explosive dynamite, one pumping machine, one full park of welding electrode, two spanners, eleven bolts and knots, and five aprons labeled Dalon Security Services.”

Another suspect, Jibrin Abdullahi (M) 35, was also apprehended by NSCDC agents. He claimed that while being arrested, the suspect attempted to stab Corps operatives. Jibrin was apprehended with an iPhone 6s Pro belonging to a woman who was kidnapped on January 10, 2024, while traveling from Deidei to Dupei behind Zuma Rock.

He mentioned that the exhibits recovered from the suspect include two packs of phones, a white charger, a Zenith Bank debit card, an issuance letter, and five packs of SIM cards: two Glo and three (3) Airtel.

He stated that others include one original and two photocopies of the National ID card with NIN: 56898998386, a photocopy of a BVN printout with the name Jibrin Abdullahi, four slips of DAS Int, Lafia Eye Treatment and payment slip, four different phone receipts purchased by Jibrin Abdullahi and one belonging to Mohammed Abdullahi, six passport photographs, and a military camouflage shorts.

Babawale also stated that, as a result of the Corps’ determination to wage war against crime, five other suspects involved in the sale of arms and ammunition to suspected bandits and kidnappers on Bagaji Road in Keffi, Nasarawa State, have been arrested.

He stated that the operation was successful due to the collaboration of NSCDC CG’S SIS and other security agencies, who overpowered them following a fierce gun battle.

The suspects’ names are Dauda Idris (M) 39 years, Umar Ali (M) 29 years, and John Ishaya (M) 37 years. Augustine Deyi (M) is 49 years old, while Ibrahim Mohammed (M) is 36.

He revealed that the suspects were found with the following items: one red Golf Car, one Infinix phone, one Itel button phone, one Sharp Knife, one Wristwatch, and various Charms.

The trio was also found with ₦175,000 in cash, which was used to purchase approximately 130 pieces of AK-47 ammunition.

He stated that the investigation has revealed that one of the suspects, John Ishaya, is an ex-convict who led a robbery operation on December 24, 2023.

He stated that during the robbery, the syndicate went to the home of one of their victims in Lafia town, Nasarawa State, and took the victim’s car at gunpoint.

He mentioned that Ishaya, a notorious criminal suspect, is the kingpin in the robbery case and had been on the Corps’ watch list until his arrest.

He claimed he was arrested from the start as a gun runner supplying ammunition to kidnappers, bandits, and terrorists operating along the Nasarawa-Abuja route.

Babawale stated that the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, based on credible intelligence, arrested two suspects for vandalism and transporting rail track slippers.

He said the suspects were apprehended with a trailer load of vandalised rail track slippers and tracks hidden beneath a sugarcane plot on Kwoi-kangaroo-Tafa-Jere Road in Kaduna State.

He stated that the arrest was made possible by the swift intervention of the CG Special Intelligence Squad, which is poised to save the country from vandals and economic saboteurs.

The suspects’ names, he said, are Richard Istifanus (M) 31, and Usman Yusuf (M) 44, and they will be charged in court after a thorough investigation.

“We will dig deep to uncover and expose those who are sponsoring vandalism and the trade of Railway Slippers across the country, and when we find them, we will bring them to justice,” the CG stated.

He went on to say, “As a leading and coordinating agency in the protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure across the nation, our commitment to this task remains strong and unwavering.”

“We assure the public that the investigation will be thorough and professional and that all suspects will face charges in court.”