Lagos, Kaduna lead as police nab 23 suspects, recover weapons during Christmas crackdown 

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of 23 suspected armed robbers, hoodlums, and a notorious kidnapper during the Christmas celebration across the country.

The arrests were part of heightened anti-crime operations initiated under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to ensure public safety during the holiday season.

This was made known in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Friday.

On December 25th, 2024, at about 1 a.m., operatives from the Lagos State Police Command responded swiftly to a distress call in the Safejo area of Amukoko, Lagos State.

The operation led to the arrest of three suspected hoodlums: Emmanuel Okoli (20), Ogunde Tejiri (20), and Emmanuel Orji (18). Dangerous weapons used in robberies targeting fun seekers in the area were recovered, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang who fled the scene.

The statement said, “In furtherance of the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM., to commands and formations to emplace unalloyed anti-crime strategies towards ensuring adequate safety and security during this festive period, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force across several states in the country have successfully apprehended multiple groups of armed robbers, cultists and hoodlums targeting fun seekers and engaging in gangsterism during Christmas celebrations.

“On the 25th of December 2024, at about 1am, the police operatives attached to Lagos State Command received a distress call that a group of hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons was operating around the Safejo area of Amukoko, Lagos State.

“The swift response by the police operatives to the scene led to the arrest of 3 of the suspected hoodlums identified as Emmanuel Okoli ‘m’, 20 years, Ogunde Tejiri ‘m’, 20 years, and Emmanuel Orji ‘m’, 18 years, and also the recovery of the weapons they had used in carrying out robbery attacks on innocent fun-seekers in the area.

“The police have emplaced intensified searches to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.

In Kaduna State, operatives from the Saminaka Division arrested Sule Muhammad (25) at about 8 p.m. the same day. The suspect, linked to multiple kidnappings in the Saminaka area, was found in possession of a fabricated AK-47 rifle.

Muhammad, who had evaded arrest since August 2024, has confessed to being part of a notorious kidnapping gang.

The statement added, “In a similar development, Police Operatives attached to Saminaka Division of the Kaduna State Command on 25th December 2024, at about 8pm, successfully apprehended one Sule Muhammad ‘m’, 25 years, who has been actively involved in multiple kidnapping incidents within the Saminaka area. Further investigation led to the recovery of a fabricated AK-47 rifle from the suspect.

“The suspect confessed to being a member of a notorious kidnapping gang who had been evading arrest since the arrest of other gang members on August 16, 2024, until his recent arrest on 25th December 2024.

“Following cooperation received from Muhammad, efforts are in top gear to apprehend other members of his gang and recover more arms and ammunition in their identified camp.

“Commendable efforts of the Nigeria Police Operatives have also been witnessed in states including Delta, Ogun Katsina, Benue, FCT and Imo, leading to the arrests of several suspects in various locations during the Christmas celebration period.”

The IG commended the officers for their vigilance and dedication to public safety, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and security during the festive period.

He urged citizens to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and cooperate with law enforcement to ensure a crime-free celebration.