The arrests led to the recovery of suspected counterfeit gold, firearms, live ammunition, stolen mobile phones and other exhibits.
This was revealed during a press briefing by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of FID-STS, ACP Godfrey Ogbeide Victor, in Abuja.
In the gold fraud case, operatives arrested three suspects in Jambutu, Yola, Adamawa State, on September 14, 2026, following a written complaint by the Chief Executive Officer of Emmaco Minerals Company, Jos, Plateau State, Mr Onu Emmanuel Okwudili.
The suspects were identified as Bashiru Aliyu, 31, also known as Umar; Sani Surajuo, 25, also known as Alkassan; and Mohammed Auwul, all reportedly linked to Adamawa State.
The suspects allegedly defrauded the complainant of N75 million on May 15, 2026, by presenting counterfeit gold as genuine.
Investigations reportedly revealed that the suspects used chemicals to make the suspected counterfeit gold appear authentic. They also allegedly claimed links to syndicates operating in Nigeria and other West African countries.
The police further disclosed that Auwul was found with a police spy identity card bearing the rank of Superintendent, raising suspicion of impersonation.
Items recovered included 25 kilogrammes of suspected counterfeit plated gold comprising 17 units, an additional 10 kilogrammes of smaller suspected counterfeit gold units allegedly linked to the transaction, two cards of suspected tramadol, three counterfeit $100 notes and a police spy identity card bearing the rank of Superintendent.
In a separate operation, FID-STS operatives arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate accused of attacking vehicles conveying mobile phones and other goods along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The suspects were identified as Delight Monday, 37, also known as Akpa, from Ebonyi State; Deborah Saviour Okon, 21, from Akwa Ibom State; Dambala Umar, 40; and Sanusi Yunusa, 30, both from Kano State and resident at Mile 2 Market, Lagos
State.
Investigations indicated that the suspects were members of a seven-man gang that allegedly targeted vehicles that broke down along the expressway.
The gang reportedly used motorcycles to scout for vulnerable vehicles before attacking their occupants and stealing goods and other valuables.
Monday allegedly admitted involvement in the robbery of a bus conveying mobile phones on August 5, 2026. He also reportedly identified Okon as a member of the syndicate who was allegedly used as a decoy to facilitate its operations.
Four stolen TECNO Spark 10 mobile phones were recovered during the investigation.
The police further alleged that the syndicate manipulated the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of stolen phones to frustrate tracking and detection by security agencies.
Meanwhile, four suspects were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a 45-year-old woman, Sarah Friday, in Zankau Zarki, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The suspects were identified as Abubakar Salihu, 29, from Angwa-Tofa, Kaduna State; Raymond Ibrahim, 22; Useni Saleh, 23; and Haruna Yahaya, 19, all from Nasarawa State.
The victim was reportedly abducted alongside one Emeka Uche at about 11:45 a.m. on August 3, 2026, when armed men allegedly invaded her residence.
The victims were held captive for six days before regaining their freedom following the payment of N3.5 million ransom.
The kidnappers allegedly collected additional items, including MTN recharge cards worth N200,000, Airtel recharge cards valued at N100,000, two vehicle inner tubes and the victim’s Samsung A17 mobile phone.
The police said the victim’s Samsung A17 phone was recovered during the investigation.
In another operation, operatives arrested a suspected kidnapper, Mohammed Yusuf, 25, also known as Memeh, from Taguma Kadroloko, Nasarawa State.
Yusuf was arrested on September 20, 2026, at about 9 a.m. and was allegedly linked to criminal activities affecting residents of Nasarawa State and neighbouring areas for more than 10 years.
He was reportedly wanted in connection with allegations of kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, money laundering and cattle rustling.
The police disclosed that the suspect confessed to the offences during interrogation and provided information that led to the recovery of his alleged operational weapon.
The recovered exhibits included one AK-47 rifle and 20 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the FID-STS to sustained operations against criminal activities across the country.
He urged members of the public to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.
The unit assured Nigerians that similar operations would continue and be extended across all states of the federation.
