The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it arrested 10 suspected criminals and recovered AK-47 rifles and ammunition in operations targeting criminal networks nationwide. 

A statement on Thursday by Ani Iniedu, the force spokesman said in the operation conducted in Imo and Rivers states, eight suspects were arrested in connection with a suspected criminal syndicate involved in kidnapping and illegal firearms procurement. 

“The operation led to the arrest of Mohammadu Sani, identified as the principal suspect, who was apprehended on the outskirts of Owerri, Imo State, with an AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition,” he said.

He stated that investigation revealed that the suspect had previously operated in Kogi State before relocating to Port Harcourt, where he allegedly began efforts to reconstitute his criminal network. 

Mr Iniedu noted that further findings linked members of the syndicate to kidnapping operations in parts of Rivers and Imo states, including the procurement of the recovered firearm through an alleged firearms trafficking intermediary.

“In a separate operation targeting a suspected firearms trafficking syndicate in the North-Central region, operatives arrested Yakubu Danladi Pam and Abdulsalam Mohammed Hussain,” he said. 

Mr Iniedu said items recovered from the suspects include one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, one Type 06 rifle, two magazines and 28 rounds of live ammunition.

He added that preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects were involved in the supply, transportation and distribution of firearms across parts of the North-Central and North-East.