NSCDC COMMANDANT GENERAL’S SPECIAL INTELLIGENCE SQUAD IN COLLABORATION WITH NSCDC KANO STATE COMMAND AND NSCDC OPERATIVES ATTACHED TO BUA ARRESTS 16 SUSPECTS FOR CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, SUSPECTED KIDNAPPING,CRIMINAL TRESPASS, ILLEGAL MINING, TRADING IN FAKE CURRENCIES, AND ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS — OTHERS AT LARGE..
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, through the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG-SIS) in collaboration with the NSCDC Kano State Command, has recorded a major breakthrough in crime prevention and internal security operations with the arrest of 16 suspects for offenses ranging from criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, suspected kidnapping, illegal mining, unlawful possession of firearms, printing of counterfeit US dollars, obtaining by false pretense, and other related crimes.
The Commander of the CG-SIS, Commandant AS Dandaura, JP, disclosed this during an extensive briefing following coordinated operations conducted in collaboration with the NSCDC Kano State Command and NSCDC operatives deployed to BUA Cement Company, Okpella, Etsako East LGA of Edo State.
Commandant Dandaura reported that one Abbas Lawan Garkuwa is involved in printing counterfeit US dollars and was arrested with fake 600,000 US dollars, an equivalent of almost one billion naira, and also for obtaining money by false pretense after issuing fake United States dollars amounting to $6,200 to a victim at an exchange rate of ₦1,452, having earlier obtained ₦9 million from the victim.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect received ₦5.5 million through his Zenith Bank account. He also orchestrated a fake transfer of ₦8 million through an accomplice, Kabiru Ketti, in order to deceive the victim.
Garkuwa was, however, arrested on 27 February at Kwankwasiya City, Zaria Road, Kumbotso LGA of Kano State. Abbas Lawan Garkuwa was also arrested with large quantities of a substance suspected to be charms.
10 empty chemical containers,
A travel ticket to Cameroon,
Chemicals used in counterfeiting, plain sheets,
A security ID card bearing his name,
GTBank and Zenith ATM cards,
Complimentary cards and other personal items.
Further investigation linked his trading in counterfeit currency to one Usman Muazu of Tanturus in Gombe State, who is still at large.
In another operation, Sulaiman Mallam Uba was arrested in Kano while in possession of six (6) brand-new, locally fabricated rifles. He disclosed that he received the weapons from Shuaibu Isiyaka on the instruction of their leader, Suleiman Isiyaka.
Upon his arrest, Isiyaka Suleiman confessed that the criminal network operated under the guise of a private security outfit, using the cover of guard duties to facilitate illegal activities and movement of arms from Yobe State to the Okene general area of Kogi State.
He also admitted to deploying members of the syndicate between 2024 and 2025 to support illicit firearms movement and associated criminal operations.
Items recovered include:
Six (6) locally fabricated rifles
Charms, amulets, and chains.
Also, the squad succeeded in arresting one Kaumi Alhaji Kadau [39 years] from Gujba LGA of Yobe State, who runs an arms manufacturing factory in Yobe State, and he specializes in the production of locally made weapons and sells to kidnappers, bandits, insurgents, and other criminals. The following exhibits used in the production were recovered from him, namely: 6 improvised gun pipes, 3 improvised fire selectors, 6 saw blades, 1 hand file, 12 hand files, 1 hammer, 2 screwdrivers, 2 pliers, 2 bicycle fenders, 1 piece of sandpaper, 2 knives, 1 taper punch, 1 axe, 2 pieces of wood, 1 bicycle jack, 2 wooden hand metals, 1 half tin of spray paint, 19 other metals, and 1 iron toolbox. He also confessed to selling them to Sulaiman Mallam Uba, who is presently in custody.
Commandant Dandaura further confirmed the arrest of eight (8) suspects at Ososo Line 4, BUA International Cement Company, Okpella, Etsako East LGA, Edo State, for offenses bordering on criminal conspiracy, suspected kidnapping, criminal trespass, illegal mining, and unlawful entry into restricted areas.
The arrests were made in line with:
Sections 1, 2, and 131 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007
Section 44(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The suspects arrested for suspected kidnapping and illegal mining activities include:
Nurudeen Lawali (20 years),
Jamilu Danyaro (20 years),
Yasir Sanusi (17 years),
Sarfilu Haruna (20 years),
Yusuf Aminu (17 years),
Nasiru Ibrahim (26 years),
Shafiu Jafar (25 years),
Suleiman Muhammadu (20 years), Auwulu Ladan (30 years), Rabiu Nura (35 years), Nasiru Mohammed Kabir (30 years), and Shamsu Yusuf (29 years). They were arrested with machetes, many shovels, diggers, headpans, etc.
Their arrest followed sustained intelligence and operational onslaught in response to rising security concerns and kidnapping activities around the Okpella and Etsako axis of Edo State and its environs.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, commended the squad for their display of gallantry and professionalism in carrying out their duties and expressed deep concern over the increasing involvement of young and middle-aged individuals in kidnapping, arms deals, illegal mining, and other acts of economic sabotage. He reaffirmed that:
“Under his leadership, the Corps will not treat any act of economic sabotage with kid gloves, as these offenses constitute serious threats to national security and stability.”
He directed the CG SIS to intensify investigations, identify all sponsors, and ensure that suspects at large are apprehended and brought to book.
Prof. Audi assured that all cases will be prosecuted diligently to serve as deterrence and appreciated the public for consistently supporting the NSCDC and calling for stronger collaboration and credible intelligence sharing to rid communities of criminal elements.
