Police arrest 108 suspects nationwide, recover 1, 520 ammunition

TRACKING_____The police on Wednesday said they have arrested 108 suspects over kidnapping, drug peddling, unlawful possession of fire arms, illicit trade on weapons, possession of prohibited drugs and distribution of same.

Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Frank Mba disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja. He said that 1, 520 live ammunition were recovered, adding that investigations have clearly linked the suspects to the various crimes alleged to have been committed.

Mba said that a total of 30 assorted riffles, including AK-47, GPMG riffles and 10 locally fabricated pistols were also recovered from the suspects.

“We also have an intriguing case of a suspect, who is a citizen of Niger Republic that specialises in altering the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of telephones.

“The IMEI is a very specialised and unique identity that comes with every manufactured phone, like the unique finger print of every individual.

“Every manufactured phone has the unique IMEI number that helps investigators and manufacturers of the product to keep tab on the location of the product when necessary.

“One of the suspects has developed some software to alter the IMEI number to deny investigators and manufacturers access to the location of phones,” he said.

Mba said a group of five suspects who specialise in supplying illicit drugs to bandits, kidnappers and other criminals to commit heinous crimes in the country were also arrested.

He said the trend of police operations in recent times has been focused on persons or criminal elements who act as enablers or facilitators of major crimes.

Senate proposes 10 –year- jail term for importers/ sellers of generators

According to him, the police is paying attention to informants and spies who help criminals carry out their operations, and also provide them with information.

He said two suspects who conspired to divert Coca Cola truck load of drinks meant to be sold in Benin to Kaduna were also arrested and therefore, called on the public to ensure diligent background checks on prospective employees to avert the recruitment of criminals.

Mba revealed that a citizen of Niger Republic who had for the past two years, been involved in moving illicit weapons from his country to Nigeria has also been arrested.