Nigerian Police Arrest 13 Suspects In Multi-State Violent Crimes

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested at least 13 suspects in connection with various offences, including homicide, gun violence, child defilement and indecent assault, in operations conducted across several states between August 30 and 31.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the details on Tuesday in a State-by-State Executive Summary of the force's operational successes, noting that the operations also led to the recovery of firearms and ammunition.

In Zamfara State, police and other security forces foiled a bandit attack after armed men intercepted a passenger truck, abducted its occupants and set the vehicle ablaze.

Security forces engaged the bandits in a gun duel, forcing them to flee into the forest with suspected gunshot injuries.

All the abducted passengers were rescued unhurt.

In Katsina State, police operatives foiled an attempted cattle-rustling operation at Sha'iskawa Village after engaging suspected bandits in a gun battle.

The bandits were later re-engaged at Karofawa Village and forced to flee with suspected gunshot injuries, with no casualty or loss of property recorded.

In Plateau State, police acting on credible intelligence arrested Buba Abdulkarim during a sting operation at Gwaram Village in Wase Local Government Area.

A rifle loaded with two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition was recovered from the suspect, while search operations continued for other fleeing gang members.

In Abia State, two suspects, including 27-year-old Chikwado Precious, were arrested after police received intelligence that hoodlums had gathered on Bonny Street, Umuahia, allegedly to carry out criminal activities.

A locally made pistol concealed inside a car was recovered, and the suspects were taken into custody along with the vehicle.

In Bayelsa State, operatives recovered a locally made revolver pistol loaded with three rounds of live ammunition after responding to a distress call over the invasion of a residence by armed men.

The suspects fled on sighting the police team, with one abandoning a black handbag containing the firearm, a power bank and a lighter.

In Oyo State, three suspects were arrested following a youth clash involving gunfire in the Mapo area of Ibadan, during which one person was killed and another injured.

Police recovered two empty cartridges, one live cartridge and a pump-action rifle allegedly belonging to one of the suspects.

Also in Oyo State, Yusuff Muhammed was arrested in connection with the alleged killing of Suleiman Haruna during a naming ceremony.

Police said they had responded to information about a fight at the ceremony, which resulted in a fatal machete attack on Haruna.

"The suspect, Yusuff Muhammed, was arrested and the scene and hospital were processed for investigation," Iniedu stated, adding that the case was being investigated as culpable homicide.

In Ogun State, two suspects, Victor Obilor and Kabiru Umar, were arrested over the alleged defilement of a nine-year-old girl and the indecent assault of an 11-year-old girl.

Detectives visited the scene and commenced investigation, while the two victims were taken to hospital for medical examination.

Iniedu also reported that police provided security for the North-Central Regional Security Summit held at the Benue State Government House, Makurdi, which was attended by senior government and security officials and ended peacefully.

In Rivers State, police reportedly restored calm following a protest demanding justice over a fatal shooting incident.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, addressed the protesters and assured them that justice would be served, after which they dispersed peacefully.

An Orderly Room trial has since commenced against the affected police personnel, while a query has been issued to the team leader.

The FPRO said the various cases were being investigated by State Criminal Investigation Departments in Gusau, Katsina, Jos, Umuahia, Yenagoa, Ibadan, Eleweran, Makurdi and Port Harcourt.