The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a dismissed Army corporal, Abubakar Musa, for allegedly leading an armed robbery syndicate and posing as a serving military officer to evade arrest in Kaduna State and neighbouring areas. Police said Musa was apprehended alongside two suspected accomplices, Hassan Umar and Joshua Raphael, during an intelligence-led operation by the Special Tactical Squad of the Force Intelligence Department. The arrests, authorities said, followed weeks of surveillance after the suspects were placed on the police wanted list.
Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, disclosed the development in Abuja while briefing journalists on major operations carried out by the FID-STS in the first quarter of 2026. According to him, the squad handled seven major cases across Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba and the Federal Capital Territory, targeting armed robbery, banditry, illegal arms trafficking and other organised crimes. The police said the operation that netted Musa and his alleged associates was carried out on March 16 in Kaduna on the strength of actionable intelligence.
Police said preliminary investigations showed that Musa, whose last posting was at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia, Kaduna State, had been impersonating a serving soldier while coordinating robbery operations. His alleged use of military identity, investigators said, helped him move around with less suspicion while the gang carried out attacks. Authorities added that the arrests led to the recovery of 10 suspected stolen vehicles, including Toyota Hilux trucks, Toyota Corolla sedans, a Pontiac Vibe GT, a Honda car, a Lexus vehicle and a Toyota RAV4. Efforts are ongoing to track down other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover more exhibits.
In a related operation, the police also announced the arrest of four other suspects linked to armed banditry and robbery in Kaduna State. The suspects were identified as Abdumumini Abubakar, Maikano Gambo, Saleh Thompson and Oyonyi Odango. Police said they were arrested on March 7 at Tayu in Sanga Local Government Area, following credible intelligence. Recovered from them, according to the police, were four AK-47 rifles with magazines, 80 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a locally fabricated pistol and 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition. One of the suspects reportedly resisted arrest and attempted to disarm operatives before he was subdued and taken for medical treatment.
Placid said the latest arrests reflect what he described as the Force’s renewed emphasis on intelligence-led policing under directives from the Inspector-General of Police, with a focus on dismantling criminal networks and preventing further attacks.
