The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has arrested 11 suspects in four separate operations involving alleged armed robbery, kidnapping, suspected criminal activities and a ₦75 million gold fraud.

The operations also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of live ammunition, stolen mobile phones, suspected counterfeit gold materials and other exhibits.

The Commander of the Force Intelligence Department–Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), Assistant Commissioner of Police Godfrey Victor, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Force Headquarters in Guzape, Abuja.

He said the operations were part of efforts to dismantle criminal networks through intelligence-led policing.

In the first operation, four suspects were arrested over alleged involvement in an armed robbery syndicate targeting vehicles conveying mobile phones and other valuables along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The suspects were identified as Delight Monday, 37; Deborah Saviour Okon, 21; Dambala Umar, 40; and Sanusi Yanusa, 30.

Victor said preliminary investigations indicated that members of the gang used motorcycles to identify vulnerable vehicles, particularly those that broke down along the expressway, before allegedly attacking their occupants and stealing valuables.

The suspects reportedly confessed to participating in a robbery involving a bus transporting mobile phones. Four stolen Tecno Spark 10 phones were recovered.

The police also alleged that the suspects manipulated the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of stolen phones to frustrate efforts to track them.

In another operation, four suspects were arrested over the alleged kidnapping of a 45-year-old woman, Saran Friday, from her residence in Zankau Zarki, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on August 3, 2026.

The police said the victim was abducted alongside another person, Emeka Uche, and held captive for six days before regaining her freedom after a ransom of ₦3.5 million was paid.

The suspects allegedly stole recharge cards valued at ₦300,000, two vehicle inner tubes and the victim’s Samsung A17 phone.

The phone was subsequently recovered by investigators.

The suspects are Abubakar Salihu, 29; Raymond Ibrahim, 22; Useni Saleh, 23; and Haruna Yahaya, 19.

The police also announced the arrest of Mohammed Yusuf, 25, popularly known as Memeh, on September 20.

Victor said the suspect was being investigated over alleged involvement in kidnapping and other serious crimes in Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas.

He said Yusuf was suspected of having links to kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, money laundering and cattle rustling, adding that he had been declared wanted in connection with the alleged offences.

According to him, information provided by the suspect led operatives to recover an AK-47 rifle and 20 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

The allegations are subject to investigation and judicial determination.

In the fourth operation, three suspects were arrested over an alleged gold counterfeiting scheme in which a businessman was reportedly defrauded of ₦75 million.

The suspects were identified as Bashiru Aliyu, 31; Sani Surajuo, 25; and Mohammed Auwul.

They were arrested in Jambutu, Yola, Adamawa State, on September 14, following a complaint by the Chief Executive Officer of Emmaco Minerals Company, Jos, Plateau State, Onu Emmanuel Okwudili.

The complainant alleged that the suspects defrauded him of ₦75 million on May 15 by presenting counterfeit gold as genuine.

Victor said preliminary investigations suggested that the suspects claimed links to criminal syndicates operating in Nigeria and other West African countries.

They allegedly used chemicals to make counterfeit gold appear authentic.

The police further said Auwul was found in possession of a police spy identity card bearing the rank of Superintendent, raising suspicion of impersonation.

Items recovered included 25 kilogrammes of suspected counterfeit gold-plated material comprising 17 units, an additional 10 kilogrammes of smaller suspected counterfeit gold pieces, two cards of suspected tramadol, three counterfeit $100 notes and the police spy identity card.

IGP’s support credited Victor attributed the successes to the support of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the professionalism of FID-STS operatives and cooperation from other security agencies and members of the public.

He reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to intelligence-led operations to disrupt criminal networks, recover stolen property and protect lives and property.

The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the nearest police station or appropriate security agency.

The FID-STS, he said, would sustain its operations across the country to strengthen public safety and maintain law and order. (The nation)