NIGERIA: Police Arrest Cop-Killer, Dismantle Child-Trafficking Syndicate, Recover Illicit Arms

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Nigeria Police Force has made significant strides in combating crime, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance national security and ensure the safety of all Nigerians.

In recent operations, the police arrested a notorious cop-killer, dismantled a child-trafficking syndicate, and recovered a cache of illicit arms and ammunition.

According to a press release issued on the Nigeria Police Force’s official Facebook page on Monday, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, confirmed that operatives from the Force Intelligence and Response Team (FID-IRT) arrested Ogaga Dickson, a 35-year-old member of an armed robbery syndicate responsible for the murder of CSP Hassan Jega, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Agbarho Division in Delta State.

Jega was killed during a gun battle on October 14, 2024, while attempting to foil a robbery operation. Following the arrest of Dickson, police recovered an AK-47 rifle, an English pistol, a locally made pistol, various ammunition, and six exotic vehicles from the gang’s hideout.

In another operation, on December 2, 2024, the police apprehended a child-trafficking syndicate led by Pastor Dayo Bernard of End Time Army Ministry in Bukuru, Plateau State.

The operation resulted in the rescue of five children, aged 2 to 4, who had been abducted from homes in Jos, Plateau State.

The police arrested other members of the syndicate, including Rita Agboeze, Victoria Ugwu, Nanman Puntel, and Peter Ukwuani.

Upon questioning, Bernard confessed to having abducted and sold 13 children at varying prices, all of whom have now been reunited with their families by the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Furthermore, in line with directives from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), FID-IRT operatives have successfully recovered 14 AK-47 rifles as part of a broader initiative to mop up illicit arms and ammunition circulating in the country, according to the release.

ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi reiterated the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring the safety of citizens and disrupting criminal networks. “These operations underscore the effectiveness of our strategies and our unwavering resolve to enhance national security,” he said.