By Parrot Newspaper 
Police Arrest Ex-Immigration Officer, Intercept Arms Meant for Abuja Bandits
By Parrot Newspaper
In a major security breakthrough, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a dismissed immigration officer caught attempting to sell sophisticated firearms to bandits operating in the Abuja-Kaduna forest.
The arrest, which followed an intelligence-led operation, prevented the illegal arms from reaching criminal elements responsible for terrorizing residents and travelers along the corridor.
Intercepted Before Delivery
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the Officer in Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Mustafa Mohammed, confirmed that the suspect was caught in the act of making the transaction.
“Acting on intelligence, the command intercepted these guns from a dismissed immigration officer attempting to sell them to bandits. The intelligence was received in time, and the arms were seized before they could be delivered,” Mohammed said.
Among the recovered weapons was a Scorpion CZ EVO3, a fully automatic firearm equipped with an inbuilt silencer.
“This is the latest model, the 2022 version of the Scorpion series,” Mohammed explained. “It can be used in single, automatic, or burst mode. Its magazine can hold between 20 and 30 rounds. We also recovered 52 rounds of ammunition, which could have posed a severe threat had they fallen into the wrong hands.”
Crackdown on Criminal Activities
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, revealed that the operation was part of a broader effort to tackle insecurity in the nation’s capital.
“From January 1 to February 28, 2025, the command carried out a series of high-impact raids, leading to the arrest of 300 suspects and the recovery of a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and illicit substances,” Disu stated.
Breakdown of Arrests:
Armed robbers arrested: 59
Kidnappers and informants arrested: 10
Armed robbers neutralized: 9
Kidnappers neutralized: 7
Cultists arrested: 16
Intensified Security Operations
To curb rising criminal activities, the police command has launched targeted raids in Dei-Dei, Karu, Gwarinpa, Jikwoyi, Karimo, and Maitama, known for harboring criminal elements.
“Specialized tactical teams have been deployed to these areas,” Disu added. “We are also monitoring abandoned buildings frequently used as criminal hideouts. These locations will be subject to continuous raids.”
Call for Public Cooperation
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. They reassured the public that efforts were ongoing to make Abuja safer.
This latest development underscores the importance of intelligence-led policing and the need for sustained efforts in combating insecurity in the FCT and beyond.