Police bust gunrunning syndicate, arrest 2,700 suspects

The Nigeria Police Force, led by Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, has dismantled a notorious gunrunning syndicate and arrested over 2,700 suspects in connection with various criminal activities within the past month.

The arrests, which include armed robbers, kidnappers, and murder suspects, mark a significant boost in the force’s efforts to combat violent crimes nationwide under the IGP’s intensified crime-fighting strategies, says an NPF statement.

This major crackdown on crime was disclosed on Tuesday by the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, via a press release on X.

It read, “The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the 22nd Indigenous Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, remains relentless in its effort towards ensuring that the perpetrators of heinous crimes across the country are brought to book.”

In a month, multiple suspects linked to violent crimes have been arrested, and numerous criminal activities addressed.

“Over the last month, the Nigeria Police Force recorded the arrest of 295-armed robbery suspects, 186 kidnappers, 271 murder/homicide suspects, and 71 suspects for the unlawful possession of firearms.

“Also arresting 199 suspects for sexual-related offences, 143 suspects for cultism, and 1575 suspects arrested for other various crimes. The Force also recovered 185 firearms and a total number of 4087 ammunition of various calibres, 111 vehicles were recovered, and 129 kidnapped victims rescued,” it added.

The police strike a major blow against a gunrunning syndicate in northern Nigeria.

It further read, “In more recent events, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have made an outstanding breakthrough in the fight against several types of violent crimes across the country, one of which is the dismantling and arrest of a gunrunning syndicate operating in the Bauchi-Plateau region.

“The suspects, identified as Taimako Mato ‘m’, John Danladi ‘m’, Mohammed Munkail ‘m’, Manasseh William ‘m’ and Muhammadu Haddi ‘m’, were arrested with 1 PKT Machine Gun, 40 rounds of 37.2mm and 95 rounds of 62mm cartridge ammunition. The leader of the syndicate, Taimako Mato, was a weapon-handling instructor at a Boko Haram camp, who procures these prohibited weapons and passes them on to the other members of the syndicate to sell to various buyers.”

The police assure the public of their commitment to maintaining law and order through innovative strategies.

“The Inspector General of Police once again reassures members of the public of the Police Force’s dedication to protecting lives and property. To this effect, the IGP has emplaced several strategies and tactics aimed at combating various forms of crimes in all spheres. The IGP hereby calls for citizens’ full support in actualizing this goal and establishing a utopia in our dear country.”

The police continue their pursuit of justice with professionalism and adherence to the law.

“The Nigeria Police Force will not relent in the pursuit of ensuring crimes and criminalities are brought to its lowest in accordance with the Rule of Law and upholding the highest standards of professionalism in carrying out extant duties of protection of lives and properties,” it concluded.

In April 2024, NPF stated that 1,346 suspects had been arrested for various offences, including murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, gun running, and rape, nationwide.

The police also said they recovered and seized 143 firearms, 741 ammunition, 72 stolen vehicles and have rescued 461 kidnapped victims across the country.

Gunrunning, or the illegal trafficking and smuggling of firearms, is a pervasive issue contributing to violence and insecurity in many regions, including Nigeria.

Criminal groups, insurgents, and militant organisations often rely on these illicit networks to obtain weapons, fueling conflicts and violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, and terrorism.

In Nigeria, gunrunning has been closely linked to insurgent activities, particularly in the northern regions, where groups like Boko Haram and bandits have used smuggled arms to sustain their operations.