Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have arrested 16 suspects for offences ranging from possession of counterfeit foreign currency to illegal arms possession, suspected kidnapping and unlawful mining activities.
The arrests were carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad in collaboration with the corps’ command in Kano State during separate operations conducted in Kano and Edo State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi.
According to Afolabi, one of the suspects, Abbas Garkuwa, was arrested for allegedly printing counterfeit United States dollars and defrauding victims through false pretences.
He explained that the suspect was apprehended on February 27 at Kwankwasiya City along Zaria Road in Kumbotso Local Government Area with fake $600,000, valued at nearly ₦1 billion.
Investigations revealed that Garkuwa allegedly issued fake US currency worth $6,200 to a victim after collecting ₦9 million at an exchange rate of ₦1,452 per dollar.
Afolabi said preliminary findings showed that the suspect also received ₦5.5 million through his account with Zenith Bank and orchestrated a fake transfer of ₦8 million through an accomplice identified as Kabiru Ketti to deceive the victim.
Items recovered from the suspect included chemicals used in counterfeiting, empty chemical containers, ATM cards from Guaranty Trust Bank and Zenith Bank, plain sheets, complimentary cards and a travel ticket to Cameroon.
The NSCDC spokesman added that investigators linked the suspect to another individual, Usman Muazu, from Gombe State, who is currently on the run.
In a separate operation, operatives also arrested Sulaiman Uba in Kano with six locally fabricated rifles.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly told investigators that he obtained the weapons from Shuaibu Isiyaka on the directive of their leader, Suleiman Isiyaka.
According to the NSCDC, the group allegedly operated under the cover of a private security outfit while facilitating the movement of illegal firearms from Yobe State to the Okene area of Kogi State.
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The corps also arrested Kaumi Alhaji Kadau, 39, from Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, who was accused of operating a local arms manufacturing facility.
Recovered items from the suspect included improvised gun pipes, fire selectors, saw blades, pliers, screwdrivers and other metal tools believed to be used in producing firearms.
Meanwhile, eight other suspects were apprehended at Ososo Line 4 within the premises of BUA Cement in Okpella over alleged involvement in criminal conspiracy, suspected kidnapping and illegal mining.
Security operatives recovered machetes, shovels, diggers and headpans believed to have been used for the illicit mining activities.
Reacting to the arrests, the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, commended the operatives for their efforts and raised concerns over the increasing involvement of young people in crimes such as kidnapping, arms trafficking and illegal mining.
He warned that acts of economic sabotage would not be tolerated and directed investigators to intensify efforts to track down other suspects linked to the crimes.
The NSCDC said investigations are ongoing, while efforts are being made to apprehend those still at large and ensure that the suspects face prosecution.