Ebonyi: NSCDC raids criminal hideout, recovers AK-47, Other Weapons

By Godwin Okeh Abakaliki 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Ebonyi State Command, has raided a suspected criminal hideout at the Ebonyi-Benue border in Izzi Local Government Area, recovering an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, locally made firearms and other dangerous items.

The state commandant, Francis Nnadi who made this known while addressing journalists in Abakaliki, said the operation, followed a week-long intelligence gathering on the activities of suspected hoodlums and cult groups allegedly operating around the border communities between Ebonyi and Benue states.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the Intelligence and Investigation Department of the NSCDC, alongside the Commandant’s Special Squad, in a coordinated sting operation targeting identified criminal locations.

Items recovered during the operation included one AK-47 rifle, one double magazine, four rounds of live ammunition, five knives, assorted charms suspected to be used for criminal purposes, one locally made pistol and one pump-action gun.

Nnadi disclosed further that the operation was conducted at different locations within the area, adding that the suspects and their alleged collaborators fled before the operatives could apprehend them.

It, however, assured residents that efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.

He warned criminal elements operating in Ebonyi State, particularly those planning to exploit the forthcoming general elections to perpetrate violence, to leave the state or face the full weight of the law.

He stressed that the Command was fully prepared to tackle criminality and ensure the protection of lives and property before, during and after the elections.

According to him, the NSCDC would continue to strengthen its operational strategies and collaborate with sister security agencies to rid the state of criminal activities, particularly in vulnerable border communities.

He further assured residents of adequate security coverage, noting that the Command would not relent in its efforts to prevent criminal groups from using border locations as safe havens for their activities.

The Commandant also called on residents of Izzi and other border communities to remain vigilant and support security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could assist in identifying criminal hideouts and preventing security breaches.

He emphasized that community cooperation remained critical to the success of security operations, urging members of the public to report suspicious movements and activities to the appropriate security authorities.

NSCDC boss, Nnadi reiterated the commitment of the command to sustain intelligence-led operations and working with other security agencies to maintain peace, law and order across Ebonyi State.

The NSCDC assured residents that there would be no safe haven for criminals in the state as security operations continue ahead of the general elections.