Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force(NPF) have arrested sixteen suspects for complicity in a series of violent attacks on security operatives and facilities in some states of the Federation, particularly in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria
The Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba(CP) revealed this in a press statement.
Mba said that the arrest was an outcome of painstaking, deliberate and tireless efforts by police operatives working in collaboration with their counterparts from the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Airforce.
The force spokesperson said that the joint operation is aimed at bringing to justice persons responsible for the emerging trend of attacks on security personnel and wanton destruction of security facilities and operational assets.
“The suspects – Ugochukwu Samuel a.k.a Biggy, 28-year-old native of Arochukwu LGA in Abia State; Raphael Idang, 31-year-old native of Odukpani LGA of Cross River state; Cletus Nwachukwu Egole aka ‘Alewa’, 60-years-old native of Orlu in Imo State; Michael Uba, 33yrs from Imo State; and twelve (12) others in the course of investigation, were implicated in multiple felonies committed across several states in the South-Eastern part of the Federation. The suspects were arrested in various parts of the country following sustained, and intelligence-driven sting operations.” Mba revealed.
He said that police investigations clearly established and linked the suspects to several incidents of attacks and murder of security personnel as well as stealing, unlawful possession of firearms, arson and malicious damage to operational assets of military and law enforcement agents.
“A total of nine AK47 rifles, five other sophisticated firearms, seventeen AK47 Magazines, 549 AK47 live ammunition, 10 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), camouflage bullet proof vests, walkie talkies and other incriminating items were recovered from the suspects.” He said.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, M.A Adamu(IGP) has reiterated that the force will not tolerate any further attack on its personnel or any citizen by any individual or group under any guise whatsoever.
He assured that law enforcement agents have gathered sufficient intelligence on the attackers and are closing up on scores of suspects already implicated in the attacks either directly or indirectly for financing, aiding and abetting the criminals.
IGP stressed that no murderer will go unpunished even as he enjoined parents/guardians as well as traditional/opinion leaders to weigh in and prevail on their children/wards to desist from towing the destructive paths of crime.
