Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Intelligence Department Tactical Team- DFI-IRT and DFI-STS have arrested four suspects in connection with the deadly Otukpo armed robbery attack and three gunrunners in Plateau alleged to be part of a terror cell that unleashed mayhem on the state recently.
The operatives are also said to have successfully arrested 60 other criminal suspects for various crimes ranging from kidnapping, gunrunning, one-chance, armed robbery and banditry across the country.
Parading the suspects at the IRT Guzape office, Abuja, on Tuesday, the Force Spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said, the Police also “recovered 5,454 rounds of live ammunitions of different calibre, 300 live cartridges, 50 empty shells of ammunition, 68 rifles, and 33 different ATM cards amongst others.”
According to him, “On 20th November 2023, a deadly bank robbery incident, which claimed the lives of seven Policemen, including a Divisional Police Officer and several civilians, occurred in Otukpo, Benue State, across the following banks, (Access Bank, First Bank, UBA, Zenith and Stanbic IBTC).
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“The robbers carted away millions of naira while killing innocent Nigerians. IRT operatives on the order of The Inspector-General of Police, swung into action and arrested four suspects while five fell to their superior firepower during a fierce gun duel at their hideout in Taraku Village in Buruku LGA of Benue State.
“The suspected armed robbers have confessed to the crime and linked other gang members at large. They also narrated and revealed how they got their arms on loan for every operation from one Terzungwe Shionda a.k.a “3-star general” (now late) and also some from Terlumum Pila and Ayuko both at large.”
ACP Adejobi gave the names of the four suspects as Mangar Samson, Mamgar Felix, Nyik Waghi Sylvester and Adasu Donald Aondokura. Exhibits recovered from them include 9 AK 47 rifles.
The Force Spokesperson also revealed that, three gunrunning syndicate, namely Ahmed Sulaimon, Balikisu Aliyu, Aboki Samuel were arrested in connection with the Christmas Eve attack on some villages in Plateau State.
Adding that, they are “currently in police custody and assisting with investigation. Upon their arrest, 1 AK-47 rifle, 1 AK-49 rifle, 1000 rounds of live ammunition and 5 magazines were recovered from them.”
He said, this operational successes are in furtherance to the sustained efforts of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun to curb crimes and criminality across the country.
“The IGP reiterates the commitment of the Police to ensuring the safety and security of our citizens by relentlessly cracking down on criminals and criminally related activities and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure Nigeria is a safe space for everyone.
