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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja has allayed public fears over alleged plots by bandits to attack some major cities in the country on Christmas Day, describing it as an empty threat which should be ignored.
Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, who gave the assurance, stated that the Force was fully aware of the threat and declared that there was no cause for alarm.
He, however, appealed to the public to be vigilant and assist the police and other security agencies with useful information on criminal elements within their environments for easier operations before, during and after the yuletide season.
Hundeyin, while fielding questions from journalists on the activities of the operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in Abuja, said: “The Force is fully aware of the threats. There are adequate security measures for this already. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has given the state commissioners of police, the zonal AIGs and strategic commanders the matching order to step up patrols, intelligence gathering and massive deployment of personnel and assets to ensure a peaceful celebration before, during and after the celebration nationwide.”
Hundeyin, who also clarified the proposed enforcement of the suspended tinted glass permit policy with effect from January 2 next year, said that there was no court injunction against the police on its implementation, as being speculated in some quarters.
According to him, “It is important to clarify that at no point did the court restrain the Nigeria Police Force from enforcing the provisions of the law regarding the use of tinted glass on vehicles.
“The IGP, in the spirit of responsibility, transparency and public convenience, ordered the suspension of the enforcement to allow motorists ample opportunity to regularise their documentation and complete the registration process without pressure.”
While lamenting that recent trends had revealed a disturbing rise in criminal activities perpetrated with the aid of vehicles fitted with unauthorised tinted glass, the FPRO said: “Some individuals and organised criminal groups have exploited this gap to conceal their identities and facilitate crimes ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping and other violent crimes, as happened recently in Edo State where a police officer was reportedly shot dead by criminals operating in a tinted glass vehicle.
“In view of this, the Nigeria Police Force has found it both necessary and urgent to resume full enforcement as a proactive measure to safeguard our communities.”
Speaking on the successes recorded by the operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), the Force Public Relations Officer said that in several coordinated and intelligence-led operations, the operatives cracked down on gun running, drug trafficking and kidnapping nationwide.
He disclosed that on October 26, 2025, operatives of the IRT arrested one Daudume Baena in Adamawa State at about 8:30 p.m. The arrest led to the recovery of two Beretta pistols, one live round of ammunition and two magazines.
Investigations revealed that the suspect was on his way to supply the weapons to an individual in a border town between Adamawa State and Cameroon, and had allegedly been involved in arms supply for over one year. Efforts are ongoing to arrest his suppliers and accomplices.
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He added that in another operation, IRT operatives arrested two suspected arms suppliers, John Maga (45) and Ishaiah Stephen (43). Recovered from them were one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, one pump-action rifle and four live cartridges.
He said police investigations revealed that the suspects supplied weapons to bandits and to Daudume Baena. John Maga was identified as a local gun fabricator who facilitated the sale of arms and ammunition. Both suspects allegedly operated for over five years within Adamawa State and along the Cameroon border.
He added that in another development, “On November 2, 2025, operatives of the IRT, working with the Department of State Services (DSS), intercepted a vehicle in Kaduna State and arrested Ifai Egbeke (40).
“Recovered from the vehicle were 39 rolls and four packets of tramadol, 326 bottles of codeine, 52 rolls and eight sachets of BP injection syrups, 38 rolls and four sachets of hypnos tablets and one roll of Indian hemp.
“The suspect confessed to supplying illicit drugs to bandits operating in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto States, adding that he was recruited into the trade by an accomplice currently at large,” he stated.
CSP Hundeyin also revealed the arrest of a suspected gun runner, Salisu Muhammad, in Brenin Tasaba village, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
According to him, “The suspect was found with one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 32 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed in a 50kg bag of millet. Investigations showed the arms were meant for delivery to bandits along the Obajana axis of Kogi State. Salisu reportedly admitted to being involved in gun running for over 10 years.”
He further explained that, in a related development, police operatives intercepted a vehicle heading to Abuja and arrested a driver, Uche Naikwe, who was found conveying 24 bags of Indian hemp.
He stated that the driver reportedly picked up the consignment in Akure and was paid ₦150,000 to deliver it to an unknown contact in Abuja. CSP Hundeyin noted that the suspect’s claim of ignorance would not absolve him, as investigations continue to dismantle the entire drug syndicate.
He stated that efforts were being intensified to arrest fleeing accomplices and dismantle the wider criminal networks.
He stressed that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to strengthening intelligence-led policing to improve national security.
