The team also recovered an anti-aircraft launcher and several high-grade weapons.

The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing at the FID-IRT headquarters in Abuja.

He stated that the 33 suspects were apprehended in coordinated operations across Kwara and Kogi states following investigations into the November 20, 2025 attack on a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.

According to him, on November 18, 2025, armed bandits attacked the church, killing worshippers and kidnapping 38 members, including the pastor, during an evening service.

He explained that the attack was captured on live stream, sparking national outcry, with victims later released following a joint security operation.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were involved in criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of firearms, arms dealing, and acts of terrorism.

He added that items recovered from the suspects included seven AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, one anti-aircraft launcher, 32 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, five walkie-talkie communication devices and a camouflage hydration backpack.

According to him, “Following the attack on the C.A.C in Eruku Town, Ekiti LGA of Kwara State on 20th November 2025, operatives of the IRT, acting on credible human and technical intelligence, conducted coordinated operations across Kwara and Kogi states.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the gang was involved in criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of firearms, arms dealing, and acts of terrorism which prima facie case has been established.

“The gang members were arrested at multiple locations including Gbugbu, Ora-Ago, Baballa, Kaiama, Awi, Charagi, Patigi, and Okeode. During operations, the suspects abandoned an anti-aircraft rifle and three AK-47 rifles, which were subsequently recovered by the police.

“Investigation is ongoing to apprehend any fleeing members of the gang to recover additional operational weapons.”

The police listed the 33 suspects arrested in connection with the case as Abubakar Usman, also known as Siddi, 26; Ibrahim Sa’idu, alias Idi Soho, 35; Adamu Mohammad, aka Baushe/Dogo, 58; Abdullahi Abubakar, a.k.a. Bature, 35; Abubakar Abdullahi, a.k.a. Turke, 35; Yusufa Isah, a.k.a. Munyaye, 50; Zubairu Abubakar, 35; Shaibu Usman, 35; Mohammed Lawai, a.k.a. Jalel, 40; Dahiru Adamu Mohammedu, 50 and Mohammadu Audu, a.k.a. Alti, 40.

Others are: Dahiru Alh Ahmadu, 25; Iliyasu Umar, a.k.a. Magaji, 38; Usman Alh Mati, a.k.a. Saidu, 30; Umar Mohammed, a.k.a. Mulandan, 25; Shehu Usman Mohammedu; Umar Mohammed Jos, 25; Mohammadu Ali, a.k.a. Jabbi/Ruwa, 30; Abubakar Mamman, 28; Mohammadu Alti, 32; Idris Auwal, a.k.a. Samaila, 26; Ajiboye Biodun, 20; Lawali Shehu, 32; Mohammadu Sani, a.k.a. Kachalla Ruga, 65; Musa Ado, a.k.a. Maidu, 65; Abubakar Adamu, a.k.a. Buba, 26; Mohammadu Zangina, a.k.a. Zangina, 23; Abubakar Shaibu, a.k.a. Jijji, 20; Mohammadu Salihu, a.k.a. Fulani, 25; Mohammadu Musa, a.k.a. Musa, 23; Abubakar Sani, a.k.a. Siddi, 25; Yusufa Isah, a.k.a. Leriya, 22; and Mohammadu Ibrahim, a.k.a. Iro, 21.

The suspects are among the 50 individuals paraded by the police on Monday as part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on criminal networks across the country.

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The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the posting of the senior officers to various strategic positions across the Nigeria Police Force was to enhance operational efficiency, leadership capacity, and improve service delivery nationwide.

Placid said the AIGs deployed are Ado Emmanuel, Research and Planning, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Joseph Eribo, Department of Armament, Force Headquarters, Abuja and Miller Dantawaye, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Others are Henry Uche, Department of Training and Development, Force Headquarters, Abuja,; Olanrewaju Ogunlowo, Police Accounts and Budget, Force Headquarters, Abuja and Dahiru Mohammed, Zone 15, Maiduguri.

He said others are Dankombo Morris, Zone 4, Makurdi; Bello Shehu, Zone 14, Katsina; Ibrahim Maikaba, Department of Legal Services, Force Headquarters, Abuja and Ahmed Musa, Community Policing, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Placid said Olohundare Jimoh, Zone 2, Lagos, Simeon Akpanudom, FCID Annex, Lagos, and Haruna Olufemi, Special Protection Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja were among the among the newly posted AIGs.

He said the newly posted CPs are Haruna Yahaya, Jigawa; Betty  Otimenyin, Welfare, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Olugbenga Abimbola, Oyo State; Yemi Oyeniyi, Delta; Olubode Ojajuni, Ogun, and Michael Falade, Ekiti.

Others are Yakubu Dankaro, Adamawa; Aina Adesola, Training Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Muhammed Ahmed, Federal Capital Territory; Olatunji Fatai, Lagos State; Morkwap Dongshal, Taraba, Ahmed Bello, Zamfara and Umar Fagge, Katsina State.

He said others are Hayatu Hassan, Sokoto State; Akan Ezima, Director, NPF-NCCC, Abuja; Abbas Sule, Special Protection Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Ajo Ordue, INTERPOL, Abuja, and Mnwadiogbu Cletus, Deputy Commandant, POLAC.

Placid said Danjuma Yahaya, General Investigation, FCID Annex, Kaduna; Sheik Danko, FCID Annex, Lagos, and Moses Otta, SWAT, Abuja, Abdulrahim Shuaibu and Eastern Ports Authority were among the newly deployed CPs.

He said other newly deployed CPs are Sarah Ehindero, Administration, FCID, Abuja; Edwin Ogbegbghagha, Provost, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Preye Egbe, INEC, Abuja, Adebisi Lateef, Master Printing, Lagos and Bolou Etete, Community Policing, Research and Planning, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Others are Ojugbele Adebola, General Investigation, FCID Alagbon, Lagos; Fidelis Ogarabe, INTERPOL Annex, Lagos; Theodore Obasi, Deputy Commandant, Police College, Ikeja, and Eloho Okpoziakpo, Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Placid said Kayode Magaji, K9, Dei-Dei, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Markus Basiran, Courses, POLAC and Mohammed Babakura, Administration, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja were among the newly deployed CPs.

He said others are Silas Aremu, Safer Highway, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Magaji Ismaila, Community Safety and Crime Prevention, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja and Rebecca Okereke, Director of Music, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Placid said the I-G had urged the senior officers to bring their wealth of experience to bear in their respective assignments.

He said the I-G enjoined the officers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and service in the discharge of their duties.

Source: NAN

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The outgoing FPRO, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, made this known on Sunday in a statement he issued.

Described as a seasoned officer with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training and international peacekeeping, Placid was born on December 2, 1970 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

He hails from Mbiokporo Nsit in Nsit Ibom local government area.

The new FPRO holds a B.Sc. in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo and a Master’s in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Jos.

He also obtained a Bachelor of Law degree from the National Open University of Nigeria.

Placid joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent at the Police Academy, Kano, in 1996 and was commissioned in August 1998.

He attended a number of professional and international courses, including United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training.

He holds certifications in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Civilian Protection.

He had served as Police Public Relations Officer in Adamawa and at the Police Staff College, Jos.

Placid also served as Chief of Training for the African Union Mission in Sudan and Head of Training and Development for the United Nations Mission in Darfur.

He worked as Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan and Gembu.

He also served as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Robbery Unit in Kaduna State and as African Union Election Security Adviser.

His other roles include ACP Operations in Akwa Ibom and Kogi states and ACP, Intelligence Department, Abia.

Placid also served as Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance at Zone 3 Headquarters, Yola.

He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a Commonwealth Human Rights trainer.

He also served as a trainer on International Humanitarian Law for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Placid is a graduate of Senior Executive Course 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

He was inducted as a Member of the National Institute on December 13, 2025 before his redeployment to Cross River.

Hundeyin said the new police spokesperson “can be reached on 07031179186”.

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