Among those arrested include 50 suspects comprising foreigners who were nabbed for alleged international job racketeering.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on the successes recorded by the various operations launched by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on October 6.
The PUNCH reports that the Army Chief launched ‘Exercise Still Waters,’ ‘Enduring Peace’ and ‘Golden Dawn’ to provide adequate security before, during and after the yuletide.
Speaking, Onyema noted that troops have maintained an offensive posture and conducted raids on criminal hideouts among others.
He said, “In the South West region, on November 2, 2023, troops of 9 Brigade Nigerian Army in conjunction with personnel of Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, conducted a raid on a suspected criminal hideout at Ifako Ijaye.
“During the operation, 50 suspects including foreigners who specialise in international job racketeering were arrested. In a similar development same day, the same troops arrested two suspects at a hotel in Ogba in Ikeja LGA.
“The arrest was in connection to the murder of one Mallam Idris Ardo, the Ardo of Panya Village in Plateau State. Preliminary investigation reveals that one of the arrested suspects masterminded the killing of Ardo and fled the community since the incident occurred.”
He also said troops arrested eight suspects at Kuje Area Council.
Onyema added, “On October 29, 2023, troops of Guards Brigade with other security agencies conducted a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory.
“During the conduct of the operation, troops arrested three suspects and recovered one Motorcycle, 12 bundles of stolen cable wires, 30 cards of illicit drugs and wraps of substances suspected to be cannabis.
“On October 30, 2023, troops of AHQ Gar Battalion while on patrol around Kuje Area Council of FCT, arrested 5 suspected drug peddlers with illicit drugs and 83 wraps of substances suspected to be cannabis. ”
He assured the citizens of their safety during the festive period.
