NSCDC Arrests Five Suspects for Firearms Possession, Gunrunning
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against crime, with the arrest of five suspects linked to illegal firearms possession, gunrunning, kidnapping, banditry, and job racketeering. This was disclosed by the spokesperson for NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja ¹[2).
The suspects, identified as Umar Ibrahim, 35, Nura Abubakar, 20, and Mohammed Sule, 20, were detained in Ukoso Komva Ward, Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. They were apprehended while on their way to deliver firearms to a buyer.
During the operation, the NSCDC recovered several firearms, including:
- Two automatic rifles with three magazines
- An AK-47 rifle with 15 live rounds of ammunition
- An FN rifle with two live rounds
- One live cartridge
- Nine locally fabricated pistols
- A bayonet
- Two pairs of uniforms from the Nigerian Forest Security Services
The suspects claimed they were deceived into participating in the illegal act by a man named Ali, who is currently on the run. They appealed to others to refrain from engaging in such criminal activities and pleaded for leniency.
In addition to the three suspects, the NSCDC also arrested a volunteer with the Nigerian Forest Security Services in Bauchi State, Lar Changkur, for suspected gunrunning. Furthermore, a 62-year-old man, Felix Clerkson, was arrested in Nasarawa State for job racketeering, with over 120 fake letters of appointment into the NSCDC recovered during the investigation.
Felix admitted to defrauding desperate and unsuspecting victims of over 26 million naira, with ongoing investigations revealing that he swindled his victims of up to N55m, sharing part of the funds with his accomplices.
All suspects will be charged in court following the completion of investigations.
