By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, ABUJA
ABUJA: A dismissed officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service has been arrested in Abuja while attempting to sell high-powered rifles to suspected bandits. The suspect, whose identity has been withheld for security reasons, was caught at Zuma, a border community between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Kaduna State.
The arrest was carried out by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the FCT Police Command, following intelligence reports. Commissioner of Police, FCT, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the command’s achievements between January and early March 2025.
According to Disu, the suspect was nabbed on February 27 while attempting to hand over two CZ Scorpion EVO 3 A1 rifles to bandits. “This arrest is a significant breakthrough in our efforts to disrupt the supply chain of criminals operating in and around the FCT,” he said.
In a separate operation, police operatives neutralized seven kidnappers during raids on identified criminal hideouts in Gidan-Dogo village and Kweri forest, bordering the FCT and Niger State. Several bandits were also arrested, and 18 AK-47 rifles, 23 AK-47 magazines, nine English pistols, seven locally made pistols, and 116 rounds of 9mm live ammunition were recovered.
Disu further revealed that 59 armed robbers were arrested, with nine neutralized, while 10 informants working for kidnappers were also apprehended. “Our proactive measures have significantly disrupted criminal activities along the FCT-Niger-Nasarawa borders. We remain committed to ensuring that no criminal finds a safe haven in the FCT,” he stated.
He commended his officers for their bravery and urged residents to remain vigilant by reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities.