Operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have apprehended four individuals suspected of involvement in banditry, kidnapping, and fraud. This action is part of an ongoing initiative to track down members of terrorist organizations operating in the country.
The arrests were made by the NSCDC’s Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, which works in collaboration with other agencies to tackle economic sabotage and enhance security across Nigeria.
Three of the suspects were detained for their unlawful possession of firearms and are under investigation for crimes related to gunrunning, kidnapping, banditry, and job racketeering.
According to NSCDC Public Relations Officer (PRO) Babawale Afolabi, the authorities confiscated a range of weapons from the suspects, including two automatic rifles with three magazines, an AK47 with 15 live rounds, an FN rifle with two live rounds, one live cartridge, nine locally made pistols, a bayonet, and two sets of Nigerian Forest Security Service uniforms.
The three individuals—Umar Ibrahim, Nura Abubakar, and Mohammed Sule—were arrested in Ukoso Komva Ward, located within the Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Additionally, a 62-year-old man, Felix Clerkson, was detained for his involvement in job racketeering.
Preliminary investigations revealed that over 120 fraudulent appointment letters for the NSCDC were found in Clerkson’s possession.
Afolabi stated that Clerkson, who was apprehended in Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State, had swindled unsuspecting victims out of more than 26 million Naira.
Further investigations suggest the total amount defrauded could exceed 55 million Naira, part of which was shared with his accomplices, who are still at large.
Afolabi confirmed that all suspects will face legal action once the investigations are concluded.