FCT Police Arrest Wanted Ammunition Supplier, Recover Weapons and Nab ‘One Chance’ Suspects

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a suspected logistics and ammunition supplier believed to be working with bandits, kidnappers, and terrorist groups operating across parts of Northern Nigeria.

The Commissioner of Police for the FCT, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday. He revealed that the suspect had been on the command’s wanted list since 2023 and was apprehended during an intelligence-driven operation carried out by police operatives.

According to Sanusi, the suspect was intercepted on Tuesday while travelling along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway. During the operation, officers recovered 81 rounds of 7.62mm live AK-47 ammunition and 100 rounds of 7.62mm belted ammunition designed for a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG).

The police commissioner stated that the suspect was also wanted by other security agencies across several North-Central states for his alleged involvement in supplying ammunition and logistical support to criminal groups.

The operation further led to the arrest of the suspect’s sister, who is alleged to have played a key role in the illegal ammunition supply chain.

Investigations revealed that the woman is married to another wanted bandit leader who is currently on the run and is believed to be involved in criminal activities across Kaduna and Niger states.

“The suspect’s sister has been actively involved in sourcing and supplying ammunition to her brother, who then distributes them to terrorists and bandits,” Sanusi said.

Preliminary investigations have linked both suspects to a wider network of arms and logistics suppliers supporting criminal groups operating in Kaduna State, Niger State, and border communities within the FCT.

In a separate operation, the FCT Police Command also arrested two suspected members of a notorious “one chance” robbery syndicate as part of efforts to combat violent crimes in the territory.

Sanusi explained that operatives attached to the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) made the arrest on May 15 while conducting routine anti-crime patrols along the Giri-Lugbe Road.

The officers reportedly encountered a distressed young woman crying for help. Upon questioning, she informed them that she had just been robbed by suspected “one chance” operators who dispossessed her of valuable belongings before abandoning her.

Acting swiftly on the information provided, the police team launched a pursuit and intercepted a blue Volkswagen Golf with registration number SKK 567 AG carrying the two suspects.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of several items, including a laptop, an iPhone, a laptop charger, two knives, and a pair of scissors believed to have been used during criminal operations.

The police commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive policing and the protection of lives and property across the Federal Capital Territory.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious individuals, activities, or movements to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency contact lines.

Sanusi assured residents that the police would continue to intensify intelligence gathering and security operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety of all residents of the FCT.