The Nigeria Police Force says it has neutralised three armed bandits and recovered ten AK-47 rifles during a series of intelligence-led operations conducted in July across several northern states.
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operations, carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), targeted criminal syndicates across Taraba, Plateau, Adamawa, Nasarawa, and Niger States.
The bandits, who attempted to flee upon sighting security operatives, were fatally engaged in gunfire and subdued.
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The police said the assailants abandoned their weapons while fleeing into nearby terrain with various degrees of gunshot injuries.
The recovered rifles are believed to have been used in kidnappings, armed robberies, gunrunning and cattle rustling.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reaffirmed the commitment of the Force to safeguarding national security. He noted that intelligence-led strategies would continue to be employed to dismantle criminal networks threatening the country’s peace and stability.
Follow-up tactical missions are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the syndicates believed to be responsible for deadly attacks on communities in the affected areas.
The IGP urged the public to support ongoing efforts by reporting suspicious activity through official channels or nearby police formations.