Police arrest 33 terror suspects over Kwara church attack, recover anti-aircraft gun

Operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested 33 suspected terrorists linked to the attack on Christ Apostolic Church (C.A.C) in Eruku Town, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while addressing journalists alongside the IRT Commander, DCP Adamu. 

He said the suspects were part of 50 individuals arrested in a nationwide crackdown on criminal elements, noting that the 33 suspects were apprehended during coordinated operations across Kwara and Kogi states which occurred on November 20, 2025.

According to him, “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.”

He listed items recovered from the suspects to include 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.

Placid further disclosed that between January and now, IRT operatives have intensified operations against gun-running and kidnapping syndicates, leading to the arrest of 50 suspects and recovery of 17 rifles, 111 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, two empty magazines, 17 live cartridges, three vehicles, three phones, seven magazines, and five walkie-talkies, among other exhibits.

Providing further details, he said, “Operatives of the FID-IRT arrested one Musa Jibrin in connection with criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms. The arrest followed an earlier operation on 26th December 2025, during which one FNC rifle and an empty magazine were recovered from the suspect. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect procured the firearm from one Bala, now at large. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice to recover additional weapons, while arrangements are being made to arraign the principal suspect in court.”

On other operations, he said, “Operatives of the FID-IRT, acting on credible intelligence, arrested four members of an armed robbery syndicate on 3rd March 2026 in Benue State. The suspects specialized in mounting fake police checkpoints to rob unsuspecting members of the public. Recovered from them were a locally fabricated rifle, a revolver pistol, live cartridges, and a complete Police Mobile Force uniform used as a decoy. These suspects are currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang to recover additional weapons.”

He added that on March 13, 2026, operatives arrested Lucky Ogoibe, Chinedu Nwazak, Dorathy Ogu, and Nonso Uzo along Deidei/Kubwa Expressway, Abuja, stating that “preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were involved in multiple cases of abduction, ‘one chance’ extortion, robbery, and attempted murder within and around the FCT.”

Placid also disclosed that on March 29, 2026, operatives arrested Shagari Ali and Sule Abdullahi in Akake Village, Donga LGA of Taraba State, linking them to the killing of three policemen attached to Donga Divisional Police Headquarters on March 18, 2026. He said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are the brain behind the killing of three policemen… and have been linked to other violent attacks and crises in Takum LGA. Investigation to apprehend other fleeing suspects and recover their operational weapons continues.”