Abuja: The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) has announced that its operatives provided crucial support to the Nigeria Police Force in apprehending armed robbery suspects in Abuja. The suspects were reportedly involved in the killing of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, a staff member of Arise News, and Barnabas Danlami, a security guard, during a robbery incident in the city.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Assistant Commander General of the NFSS’s North Central zonal command, Abdulhakeem Ibrahim, revealed that his team, in collaboration with the police, successfully apprehended five suspects who had been terrorizing the Zuba area and its surroundings. The operation followed two consecutive robbery attacks by the gang on a well-known hotel in Zuba, located within the Federal Capital Territory.
Ibrahim detailed that the NFSS operatives, acting on police instructions, set up a checkpoint near the hotel to intercept the suspects after their repeated attacks. When the gang made another attempt, they encountered the checkpoint and, after a brief chase, abandoned their driver, who was subsequently captured and handed over to the police.
Further investigation led to the arrest of additional suspects and the seizure of weapons from their hideout, including an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, and a Beretta pistol. Ibrahim emphasized the importance of the collaboration between the NFSS and the police, highlighting its role in maintaining community safety and enhancing grassroots intelligence.
Ibrahim called on the government to grant the NFSS legal recognition to enhance their operational capabilities. He expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army, police, and other agencies for their joint efforts in security operations across the North Central region. He also thanked the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for acknowledging the NFSS’s role in addressing the country’s security challenges.
Lastly, Ibrahim commended Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, the Commander General of NFSS, and Dr. John Metchie, the Deputy Commander-General (Intelligence), for their support and leadership. He reaffirmed the NFSS’s commitment to assisting national security agencies in combating security issues in the nation.