Nigeria Police Arrest Nearly 6,000 Suspects, Recover 360 Firearms in Nationwide Crackdown

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced the arrest of 5,936 suspects linked to a range of violent and criminal offences in recent nationwide operations. In the same coordinated efforts, security operatives recovered 360 prohibited firearms and 5,952 rounds of live ammunition, signaling a renewed determination to stem the tide of insecurity across the country.

The development was disclosed during a press briefing held in Abuja on August 3, 2025. According to the police, the arrests and recoveries were the results of well-coordinated operations spearheaded by detectives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), who targeted high-risk criminal syndicates and armed groups.

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Police Operations Yield Major Breakthroughs

The police disclosed that the nearly 6,000 suspects were apprehended for crimes ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, and homicide to unlawful possession of firearms, sexual offences, and cult-related activities.

One of the standout cases involved a woman, Jane Anodua, whose arrest unraveled a child trafficking network. Acting on a report from the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs, operatives traced Anodua to Rivers State, where she was taken into custody. Her confession during interrogation led to the rescue of four children, including two 10-year-old girls. The children have since been reunited with their parents, highlighting the police’s determination to protect the most vulnerable members of society.

In another operation on July 13, 2025, detectives intercepted a suspected gunrunner identified as Tanfa Binbol. According to investigators, Binbol was responsible for ferrying arms between Taraba and Plateau States. A search of his home revealed a cache of rifles, pistols, and a pump-action gun. His arrest is considered a significant blow to the chain of illegal arms supply feeding violent crimes in the North-Central region.

Similarly, on July 27, 2025, police operatives arrested Jerauji Ibrahim, a suspect from Adamawa State, in possession of two AK-47 rifles, magazines, and live ammunition. His arrest adds to a growing list of successful interceptions that have disrupted the flow of illegal arms into criminal circles.

Firearms and Ammunition Seized in Raids

The nationwide operations also led to the discovery of various prohibited firearms stashed in criminal hideouts. The seizures included AK-47 rifles, a G-3 rifle, a submachine gun, revolvers, locally fabricated pistols, and several magazines.

According to investigators, these recoveries underline the sophisticated level of arms proliferation across the country, which continues to fuel violent crimes and threaten national security. The police explained that curbing the illegal arms trade remains a top priority as it directly impacts the ability of criminal syndicates to operate effectively.

The arrest of multiple gunrunners, alongside the seizure of their weapons, is part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks supplying arms to kidnappers, robbers, and insurgents.

Police Leadership Reaffirms Commitment to Public Safety

While addressing the press, the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to intensifying efforts against gunrunning, kidnapping, and violent crime. The Force emphasized that the safety of citizens remains its topmost priority, and every resource is being deployed to ensure law and order across the country.

The Inspector-General of Police noted that the arrests were not only a success for law enforcement but also a message to criminal elements that the state will not relent in its fight against insecurity. He added that the rescue of children from human traffickers, alongside the dismantling of arms supply chains, demonstrates the NPF’s readiness to protect both lives and property.

Community members have been urged to support ongoing operations by providing timely information to security agencies. The Force stressed that intelligence gathering and public cooperation remain crucial in dismantling entrenched criminal networks.

A Nationwide Crackdown on Crime

The scale of the arrests—spanning almost 6,000 suspects—underscores the magnitude of insecurity challenges confronting Nigeria. With armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, and gunrunning presenting consistent threats, security analysts argue that these coordinated crackdowns are a vital step toward restoring peace and curbing the spread of criminal violence.

The recovered firearms further highlight the worrying prevalence of illegal weapons in circulation. Analysts warn that without sustained efforts, such arms could continue fueling violent clashes, banditry, and terrorism across regions.

For the police, the message is clear: dismantling criminal supply chains is as important as arresting suspects. With every firearm seized and every suspect arrested, law enforcement aims to gradually weaken the influence of armed groups and restore confidence in public safety.

The Nigeria Police Force’s announcement of 5,936 arrests and the recovery of 360 firearms, along with nearly 6,000 rounds of live ammunition, marks one of the most significant security breakthroughs in recent years. From disrupting child trafficking rings to dismantling gunrunning syndicates, the operations reflect a strategic approach to tackling insecurity from multiple angles.

As investigations continue and suspects face prosecution, the NPF has promised Nigerians that the momentum against crime will not wane. Citizens are encouraged to complement these efforts by remaining vigilant and working closely with law enforcement.

The crackdown offers a glimmer of hope in Nigeria’s battle against insecurity, showing that with coordinated intelligence and decisive action, even the most entrenched criminal networks can be dismantled.