The FCT Police have arrested a dismissed immigration officer for attempting to sell advanced firearms to bandits in the Abuja-Kaduna forests. Learn more about the operation that prevented a major security threat.
Ex-immigration officer arrested for selling arms
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended a former immigration officer who was caught attempting to sell high-powered firearms to bandits operating in the forests between Abuja and Kaduna. This arrest, which was the result of an intelligence-driven operation, is seen as a significant victory in the fight against violent crime in Nigeria’s capital region.
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According to Mustafa Mohammed, the officer in charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the police acted swiftly upon receiving intelligence about the illegal arms deal. The dismissed immigration officer was intercepted before he could deliver the weapons, preventing them from falling into the hands of criminals who have been responsible for numerous attacks along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor.
Among the recovered weapons was a Scorpion CZ EVO3, a highly sophisticated firearm equipped with an inbuilt silencer. Mohammed explained that this particular model, a 2022 version, is capable of firing in single, automatic, or burst mode. With a magazine capacity of 20 to 30 rounds, it posed a serious security threat. Additionally, police recovered 52 rounds of ammunition during the operation, further highlighting the level of danger posed by the illicit arms deal.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, provided a broader update on the command’s recent efforts to combat crime in the territory. Between January 1 and February 28, 2025, the police arrested 300 suspects as part of a strategic crackdown on criminal activities. These operations resulted in the recovery of various arms, ammunition, and illegal substances.
Disu detailed the arrests, noting that 59 suspected armed robbers, 10 kidnappers and their informants, 16 cultists, and several other criminals were taken into custody. He further revealed that nine armed robbers and seven kidnappers were neutralized during confrontations with law enforcement.
To curb rising insecurity, the police command has intensified targeted raids in known criminal hideouts across the FCT. Areas such as Dei-Dei, Karu, Gwarinpa, Jikwoyi, Karimo, and Maitama have been the focus of these operations. Abandoned buildings, often used as safe havens by criminal elements, are also under increased surveillance.
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