The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant General's Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) has recorded another major breakthrough in its fight against economic sabotage and insecurity across the country. The squad arrested four suspects for alleged involvement in illegal possession of firearms, gunrunning, kidnapping, banditry, and job racketeering. Additionally, another suspect was apprehended for advanced fee fraud and job racketeering.

During the operation, the CG’s SIS recovered a cache of weapons, including two automatic rifles with three magazines, one AK-47 rifle with 15 rounds of live ammunition, one FN rifle with two rounds of live ammunition, nine locally fabricated pistols, one live cartridge, one bayonet, and two pairs of Nigerian Forest Security Service uniforms.

Three of the suspects, all male, identified as Umar Ibrahim (35), Nura Abubakar (20), and Mohammed Sule (20), were arrested at Ukoso Komva Ward, Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. During interrogation, they claimed they were deceived into the illegal trade by one Ali, who is currently at large. According to them, Ali had invited them to help sell firearms in his possession. They were apprehended while on their way to deliver the weapons to a buyer. In their confessional statements, the suspects urged others to avoid engaging in criminal activities while pleading for leniency.

Furthermore, a volunteer with the Nigerian Forest Security Service, Lar Changkur, was arrested in Bauchi State for his alleged involvement in gunrunning. He also warned others against engaging in such illegal activities while seeking mercy.

In another operation, the CG’s SIS arrested a 62-year-old suspect, Felix Clerkson, for his involvement in job racketeering. Preliminary investigations revealed that over 120 fake NSCDC appointment letters were recovered from him. Clerkson was arrested in Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State, following a tip-off. He admitted to defrauding desperate job seekers of over N26 million. However, further investigations uncovered that he had swindled victims of a total sum of N55 million, part of which he shared with accomplices who are currently at large but are being trailed by security operatives.

All suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. The CG’s SIS, established under the leadership of Commandant General Ahmed Audi and headed by Commandant Dandaura Appollos, has continued to make remarkable strides in combating criminal activities, including oil theft, illegal bunkering, power and telecommunication vandalism, railway vandalism, kidnapping, and banditry across the country.