The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 13 people over alleged unlawful possession of arms, explosives and ammunition.

The Corps Commandant General (CG), Ahmed Audi, revealed this while briefing journalists on Saturday at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja.

Mr Audi explained that the suspects were arrested in groups and individually in different locations across the country.

He said that some of them were involved in vandalism of public infrastructure and assets, as well as other nefarious activities.

Mr Audi, represented by NSCDC spokesperson Babawale Afolabi, said that the arrests were made by the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad in synergy with other security agencies.

Mr Audi said five of the suspects were arrested for alleged involvement in the sale of firearms and ammunition to bandits and kidnappers.

Mr Audi said N175,000 cash allegedly meant for the purchase of 130 pieces of AK-47 ammunition, a red golf car, one Infinix phone, one Itel button phone, one knife, one wrist watch and charms were recovered from the suspects.

The CG said that one of those arrested, John Ishaya, was a notorious criminal and ex-convict on the watch list of the corps.

He said two others were arrested while conveying vandalised rail track slippers and tracks concealed under sugarcane along the Kwoi-Kagarko-Tafa-Jere road in Kaduna State.

“We will dig deep to unravel and expose those sponsoring vandalism and trading of railway slippers across the nation.

“When we apprehend them, we will bring them to book,” Mr Audi said.

The CG further said that apart from the 13 suspects, five others were arrested around Tebetaba Community, Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that they pretended to act as private security guards to carry out nefarious crimes.

“Exhibits recovered from the 5-member suspects included: one explosive dynamite, one pumping machine, and one full park of welding electrodes.

“Two spanners, 11 bolts and knots and five aprons tagged Dalon Security Services,” he said.

According to him, another suspect, Jubril Abdullahi, was arrested in possession of a phone belonging to a woman who was kidnapped.

“Jibrin was caught with an iPhone 6s Pro owned by a woman who was kidnapped on January 10, 2024, in Abuja.

“Among the exhibits recovered from the suspect are: two phone packs, one white charger, bank debit cards, an issuance letter, five packs of SIM cards, passports and documents belonging to other persons,” he said.

The CG reiterated that the NSCDC, being the lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, was committed to fulfilling its mandate.

“We reassure the public of a diligent and professional investigation, after which all the suspects will be charged to court,” he added.

(NAN)