The Pathfinder
Monday April 13, 2026
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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested 50 suspects over fake checkpoints, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, and related offences in a nationwide crackdown spanning three months.
The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, disclosed this during a news briefing on Monday in Abuja, stating that the operations, conducted between January and March 2026, also led to the recovery of 17 rifles of various models, 111 live ammunition, two empty magazines, 17 live cartridges, and three vehicles. Additionally, three mobile phones, seven magazines, and five walkie-talkies were seized from the suspects.
According to Placid, the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) through coordinated operations following credible intelligence.
He cited a March 3 operation in Benue State, where four suspects were arrested for armed robbery. The group reportedly specialized in setting up fake police checkpoints to rob unsuspecting members of the public. Items recovered included a locally fabricated rifle, a revolver, live cartridges, and a complete Police Mobile Force uniform used as a decoy.
On March 13, the FID-IRT also arrested four suspects involved in abduction, extortion, robbery, and attempted murder along the Deidei/Kubwa Expressway in Abuja. Preliminary investigations linked them to multiple criminal activities in and around the Federal Capital Territory, and recovered exhibits included property stolen from their victims.
Placid further revealed that three alleged kingpins behind the murder of three policemen in Taraba State were arrested on March 29. Investigations indicated that the suspects orchestrated the killing of officers attached to the Donga Divisional Police Headquarters on March 18, and were involved in other violent incidents in Takum Local Government Area.
The police confirmed that investigations are ongoing to apprehend additional fleeing suspects and recover remaining operational weapons, as efforts continue to dismantle criminal networks across the country.
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