Troops of 3 Division of the Nigerian Army under Operation Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (OP Enduring Peace), have arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered arms and ammunition in Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
The operations, conducted on Thursday, December 18, 2025 were part of ongoing efforts to mop up illicit arms and ensure a peaceful yuletide season within the Joint Operations Area.
In the early hours of the day, troops, in conjunction with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), raided a suspected criminal hideout at Gwender Village in Bokkos Local Government Area, following intelligence reports.
Although the suspects reportedly fled before the arrival of the troops, a search of the hideout led to the recovery of one fabricated AK-47 rifle with a magazine, one fabricated pistol and several rounds of ammunition of different calibres.
In a related operation, troops working with a DSS Tactical Team mounted a snap checkpoint at Mairana in Mangu Local Government Area, based on credible intelligence.
During the operation, a Fulani youth was intercepted and arrested while in possession of two boxes of ammunition containing 1,400 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The suspect and the recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation, while troops have intensified follow-up operations to apprehend other members of the suspected criminal syndicate.
The military reiterated its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements to ensure peace and security across Plateau State and the wider Joint Operations Area.
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested police officers captured in a viral video allegedly extorting money from motorists in the state.
The spokesperson for the command, ASP Agabe Kaborlo, who confirmed this to newsmen, said the command had seen the viral video recorded by an activist, Comrade Phils, in which he accused a team of officers from the Old GRA Police Station, near the Rivers State Government House and close to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s residence, of systematically targeting motorists, particularly those with tinted windscreens.
According to the complaints, the officers, allegedly led by ASP Geoffrey, disregarded valid tinted glass permits, including factory-fitted ones, and demanded cash payments starting from N100,000.
The command in its statement said an investigation into the incident has commenced, and any officer found culpable will be made to face the law.
“The Commissioner of Police reiterates that extortion, illegal collection of money and any form of unprofessional conduct by police personnel will not be tolerated under any circumstances. He emphasised that the Command remains committed to ensuring that officers conduct themselves in a manner that promotes public trust, accountability and respect for human rights.
CP Adepoju assures the public that the investigation will be thorough, transparent and impartial. Any officer found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the provisions of the law and the Nigeria Police Act.”
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned against overloading of vehicles as the practice jeopardizes the lives of innocent Nigerians on the roads.
The agency gave the warning after officials intercepted dangerously overloaded vehicles across the country.
“Is the driver okay? Is the loader okay? Because this is not transportation… this is an audition for disaster! One sudden brake, one sharp bend, and lives could be lost. #OverloadingKills,” the agency captioned one of the photos.
“At what point does “cargo” become a moving building? This isn’t smart business; it’s a rolling road hazard waiting to happen. Safety must never be sacrificed for profit.
“By the way, who on earth looked at this load and said, “Yes, this is perfectly fine to drive”
“Overloading remains one of the fastest routes to road crashes. No delivery is worth a life. We must say no to overloading.”
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT has intercepted five stowaways on a merchant ship and handed them over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
Sub-Lieutenant AO Ajayi, Naval Assistant to Commander NNS BEECROFT, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, June 22, 2026 said the suspects were found concealed within the rudder compartment of the vessel, MY CHINAFRIE HAPPINESS, which was travelling to India from the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.
“On Monday 22 June 2026, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT handed over five suspected stowaways rescued from a merchant vessel, MT CHINAFRIE HAPPINESS, to the Nigeria Immigration Service,” the statement read.
“For clarity, a stowaway is a person who conceals themselves aboard a vessel with the intention of travelling illegally to another country without authorisation.
“The handover forms part of ongoing collaborative efforts among security agencies to curb illegal migration and enhance maritime safety and security.
“The suspects were discovered on Wednesday 17 June 2026, concealed within the rudder compartment of the vessel.
“They were safely evacuated and conveyed to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.
“Initial findings identified the suspects as Segun Samuel Boyewa (31), Kingsley Chukwu (43), Joseph Judge (33), Moses Aletor (24), and Abdullahi Danlami (31).
“Further investigations revealed that the suspects boarded MT CHINAFRIE HAPPINESS while the vessel was berthed alongside Tin Can Island Port with the intention of travelling illegally to India.”
The Commander of the NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams Aliu, urged parents, guardians and community leaders to discourage young people from engaging in dangerous and unlawful attempts to board seagoing vessels in pursuit of irregular migration.
“It has now become important for parents, guardians, and other authority figures within society to discourage youths from attempting to board seagoing vessels illegally,” Aliyu said.
“Finally, it is pertinent to note that NNS BEECROFT, under my command, will continue to actualise the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), which is to deploy a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing effectively to joint operations in defence of national sovereignty and the maintenance of internal stability.”