The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded 13 suspects arrested in connection with the unlawful possession of explosives, illegal arms, and ammunition among other crimes.

A statement on Saturday by the spokesman of the paramilitary outfit, Babawale Afolabi said the clampdown followed a recent directive of the Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Audi mandating personnel to intensify nationwide surveillance on critical national assets and Infrastructure (CNAI).

He said operatives of the Corps in the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad arrested 11 suspects for unlawful possession of explosive (dynamite), vandalism and illegal dealings in petroleum products.

He added that other offences committed for which the suspects were nabbed for include illegal dealing in arms and ammunition, vandalism of oil pipelines, attempted murder and criminal conspiracy as well as miscellaneous offences.

According to the statement, the CG at the parade disclosed that the arrests were made based on credible Intelligence.

The CG, who was represented by the National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent of the Corps, Babawale Afolabi, expressed the commitment and resolve of the Corps to fight crimes in the country in synergy with sister agencies to the barest minimum and called on the public to support this effort.

He said the first 5-member group of suspects who are all male gave their names as Ayibadenyefa Julius, 32 years, Derekebuna Owo, 28 years, Preye Wolson 32Years, Olofini Deseyei 29Years and John Samuel, age 32years.

He disclosed that the suspects were arrested around Tebetaba Community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa State and the preliminary investigation revealed that they pretended to act as a Private Security Guards but ended up carrying out their evil deeds.

Exhibits recovered from the 5-member suspects include” an explosive dynamite, 1 Pumping Machine, 1 full park of Welding Electrode, 2 Spanners, 11 Bolts and knots and 5 Aprons tagged Dalon Security Services.”

Another suspect Jibrin Abdullahi (M) 35 years was also nabbed by the NSCDC operatives. He said the suspect attempted to stab the operatives of the Corps in the process of his arrest. Jibrin was caught with an iPhone 6s Pro owned by a Woman who was kidnapped on 10th January 2024 on her way from Deidei to Dupei behind Zuma Rock.

He noted that among the exhibits recovered from the suspect are: two packs of phones, a white Charger, a Zenith Bank debit card, an Issuance letter, and five packs of SIM cards: two Glo with three (3) Airtel.

He said others include one original with two photocopies of the National ID card with NIN: 56898998386, photocopy of BVN print out with the name Jibrin Abdullahi, four slips of DAS Int, Lafia Eye Treatment and payment slip, four different phone receipts purchased by Jibrin Abdullahi and one belonging to Mohammed Abdulahi, six passport photograph and a military camouflage shorts.

Babawale said also following the determination of the Corps to wage war against crime, five other suspects who are involved in the sales of arms and ammunition to suspected bandits and kidnappers at Bagaji Road, Keffi, Nasarawa State have been arrested.

He noted that the operation was successful due to the synergy between NSCDC CG’S SIS and other security agencies who overpowered them after a fierce gun duel.

The names of the suspects are John Ishaya (M) 37 years, Umar Ali (M) 29years, Dauda Idris (M) 39 years Ibrahim Mohammed (M) 36 years and Augustine Deyi (M) 49 years.

He revealed that the following exhibits were recovered from the suspects: one red-coloured Golf Car, 1 Infinix phone, 1 Itel button phone, 1 Sharp Knife, 1 Wristwatch and assorted Charms.

Also recovered from the trio is a sum of ₦175, 000 cash for the purchase of Ammunition at the point of purchasing about 130 pieces of AK-47 Ammunition.

He said investigation has uncovered that one of the suspects, John Ishaya is an ex-convict who led a robbery operation on 24th December, 2023.

He said in that robbery incident, the syndicate proceeded to the residence of one of their victims in Lafia town, Nasarawa State where the victim’s car was snatched at gunpoint.

He noted that Ishaya, a notorious criminal suspect is a kingpin in the robbery case and has been on the watch list of the Corps until his arrest.

He said he was arrested ab initio as a gun runner supplying ammunition to kidnappers, bandits and terrorists operating along Nasarawa-Abuja terrain.

Babawale said the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad also acting on credible intelligence, arrested two suspects for vandalism and conveyance of rail track slippers.

He said the suspects were caught with a trailer load of vandalized rail track slippers and tracks concealed under the Sugarcane plot at Kwoi- kangaroo- Tafa- Jere Road in Kaduna State.

He noted that arrest was made possible through prompt intervention of the CG Special Intelligence Squad who are poised to salvage the nation from vandals and economic saboteurs.

The names of the suspects, he said are Richard Istifanus (M) 31 years and Usman Yusuf (M) 44 years, stating that they would be charged to court after a thorough Investigation.

“We will dig deep to unravel and expose those sponsoring vandalism and trading of Railway Slippers across the nation and when we apprehend them, we will bring them to book,” the CG promised.

He added that: “As a lead and coordinating agency in the Protection of all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure across the nation, our commitment to this task remains strong and unwavering.

“We reassure the public of diligent and professional investigation after which all the suspects would be charged to court.”