Plateau Police Arrest 32 Suspects and Recover 10 Rifles in Crime Operations

Police in Nigeria's Plateau State arrested 32 suspects for offences including kidnapping and human trafficking while recovering 10 rifles and 54 rounds of ammunition in recent operations. [1]

Plateau Police Announce Major Arrests and Arms Recoveries

Plateau State Police Commissioner Ayodeji Faniyan announced the arrests and recoveries on Friday, crediting intelligence-led policing, public tips and two months of focused operations. [1] The State Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Faniyan, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Jos on the operational breakthroughs recorded by the command. [1] Faniyan said that since assuming duty about two months ago, his administration had prioritised intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, professional conduct and zero tolerance for corruption among personnel. [1] He said the achievements recorded were a result of the collective efforts of officers and men of the command, as well as timely information provided by members of the public. [1] He thanked the media for their objectivity and support since he assumed duty and urged sustained partnership in accurate information dissemination. [1] The Commissioner said the command also recorded major arms recoveries without making any arrests. [1] CP Faniyan assured that the command would continue to strengthen intelligence-led operations and collaboration with sister agencies and communities. [1] He urged residents to remain vigilant, law-abiding and provide timely and credible information to the police. [1]

Specific Suspect Arrests in August Operations

Specific arrests included a 24-year-old with a locally fabricated Beretta pistol on 7 August, a 23-year-old with a pistol on 13 August, and a suspect with an AK-47 on 31 August. [1] On August 7, 2026, operatives on an intelligence-led patrol arrested one John Oba Agbanu, 24, in Zaramaganda forest, Jos South LGA, and recovered a locally fabricated Beretta pistol with two rounds of 9mm ammunition and two daggers. [1] On August 13, Police detectives, acting on credible intelligence arrested one Peter Pius, 23, of Jebbu Bassa, in a hotel in Bassa LGA, recovering a locally fabricated pistol and other items. [1] On August 31, operatives from Bashar Division arrested one Buba Abdulkarim of Wase LGA and recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with two rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. [1]

Arms Recovered from Fleeing Suspects

Major arms recoveries without arrests occurred on 28 and 31 August, including a GPMG, an AK-47 and a locally made rifle from suspected bandits and illegal miners. [1] On August 28, operatives of 81 PMF, Bassa, engaged suspected bandits at Kafi Abu, Barkin Ladi LGA, recovering one GPMG and one AK-47 rifle after the suspects fled. [1] Similarly, on August 31, a Tactical Team in Barkin Ladi recovered a locally made rifle and nine rounds of ammunition from suspected illegal miners. [1]

Arrests for Sexual Offences and Drug Crimes

Separate arrests were made for rape, defilement of minors aged 11 and 9, and possession of cannabis and hard drugs; all suspects will be charged after investigations. [1] On crimes against persons, CP Faniyan said the command arrested a 22-year-old man in Bokkos LGA for alleged rape, a 35-year-old man for alleged defilement of an 11-year-old minor, and a 40-year-old school proprietor for alleged defilement of a nine-year-old pupil. [1] He said all the victims were taken to hospital for medical examination, adding that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. [1] On drug-related offences, Faniyan said four suspects were arrested on September 1 during a raid in Angwan Rogo, Jos, for possession of substances suspected to be cannabis and other hard drugs. [1] The Commissioner said investigations were ongoing to arrest fleeing members of the gangs, adding that all suspects would be charged to court. [1]

Kidnapping and Robbery Arrests in Anambra State

In Anambra State, police rescued a kidnap victim after two suspects withdrew N7 million from his accounts and stole his SUV; five other suspects were arrested in connection with a separate tricycle robbery. [5] Police in Anambra State have said they arrested two suspected kidnappers who withdrew N7 million from the victim’s account and then fled with his Toyota Highlander SUV. [5] The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement on Thursday, said the kidnappers held the victim in captivity for three days. [5] During the period of captivity, the kidnappers allegedly withdrew a total sum of ₦7 million from the victim’s bank accounts before fleeing with his Toyota Highlander SUV, said Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police. [5] Two suspects – Victor Onwuka, alias “Bugatti,” and Chidiebere Madukaife, 30, – were later arrested by operatives on 16 August at Akpukpokelemu Village, Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state. [5] The victim was also rescued during the operation conducted by operatives of the state’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in response to a tip-off. [5] During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crime and were subsequently identified by the victim. [5] They are also assisting the Police with useful information towards the identification and arrest of other members of the syndicate who remain at large, he said. [5] Mr Ikenga said the operatives, following receipt of open-source intelligence in a separate operation on 15 September, arrested five other crime suspects. [5] The spokesperson said the suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in the armed robbery and snatching of a tricycle by armed men in April in Asaba, Delta State capital. [5] Following the arrest of the first suspect, Nwakpa Friday, aged 38, and the recovery of the stolen tricycle at Old Road, Nkpor, operatives subsequently apprehended four other suspected members of the robbery syndicate, namely Sylvester Nteshi, aged 53; Nwuzor Livinus, aged 35; Mgbom Uche, aged 27; and Chiweuba Chukwudi, aged 42, he said. [5] The suspects and the recovered tricycle are currently in police custody, while investigation is ongoing to establish the individual roles of the suspects and apprehend other members of the syndicate still at large, the spokesperson added. [5] Mr Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnanna Ama, commended the operatives for their professionalism, intelligence-led approach and prompt response. [5]

Turkish Authorities Dismantle International Fraud Network

In Turkey, authorities busted an Israel-linked forex fraud network involving 42 call centres, 28 companies and 239 suspects that allegedly defrauded victims of at least $266 million. [3] Turkish security forces busted an Israel-linked fraudulent trading network that allegedly defrauded people in Europe, the Far East and Africa of at least $266m over the past two years, Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said on Friday. [3] Gurlek said in a statement that the forex fraud investigation targeted 42 call centres operated by 28 companies and involving 239 suspects. [3] An organised fraud network targeting multiple countries was uncovered after we determined that individuals with links to Israel were the principal owners and ultimate beneficiaries of the companies in question, he said. [3] Dawn raids were conducted at 236 addresses in Istanbul and Mugla in coordination with Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and Interpol. [3]

What to watch next: Investigations continue in Plateau State to arrest fleeing gang members, while Anambra police pursue remaining syndicate members at large and Turkish authorities coordinate further with Interpol on the fraud network.