Deborah Akinyosoye
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested a former immigration officer attempting to sell sophisticated firearms to bandits operating in the Abuja-Kaduna forests.
The dismissed officer, whose identity was not disclosed, was nabbed following an intelligence-led operation by the FCT Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, preventing the arms from reaching criminal elements.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Mustafa Mohammed, said the operation was a significant breakthrough in disrupting the supply of illegal weapons to terrorists and kidnappers.
“Acting on intelligence, the command intercepted these guns from a dismissed immigration officer attempting to sell them to bandits terrorizing the Abuja-Kaduna forest,” Mohammed said.
“The intelligence was received in time, and the arms were intercepted while he was trying to make the delivery.”
Among the recovered weapons was a Scorpion CZ EVO3, a highly sophisticated automatic firearm with an inbuilt silencer.
“This is the latest model, the 2022 version of the Scorpion series. It can be used in single, automatic, or burst mode.
“It is a highly sophisticated weapon, and its magazine can hold between 20 to 30 rounds, depending on the configuration.
“ We also recovered 52 rounds of ammunition which could have posed a severe threat had they fallen into the hands of criminals,” he added.
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The FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, disclosed that between January and February 28, 2025, the command arrested 300 suspects as part of an intensified crackdown on crime across the territory.
“In its sustained effort to rid the Federal Capital Territory of crime and criminal elements, the FCT Police Command has intensified its operations, carrying out a series of high-impact raids from January 1 to February 28, 2025,” Disu said.
He revealed that the intelligence-driven operations resulted in: 59 armed robbery arrests, 10 kidnappers and informants apprehended, 9 armed robbers neutralized, 7 kidnappers neutralized, and 16 cultists arrested
Disu also noted that targeted raids were conducted in high-risk areas, including Dei-Dei, Karu, Gwarinpa, Jikwoyi, Karimo, and Maitama.
“Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the safety of residents, the Command deployed specialized tactical teams to raid identified criminal hideouts and black spots across the FCT,” Disu said.
He further stated that abandoned buildings frequently used as hideouts for criminals have been identified and would be subjected to continuous monitoring and raids.