The Nigeria Police Force says it has arrested 50 suspects and recovered a cache of weapons, including an anti-aircraft launcher, in nationwide operations targeting terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery.

The operations were carried out by the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), according to a statement issued on Tuesday by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Anthony Placid.

Placid said the coordinated raids led to the recovery of 17 rifles, one anti-aircraft launcher, 111 rounds of ammunition, 17 cartridges, five walkie-talkies, nine magazines, three mobile phones and a vehicle.

He said the operations, which have been ongoing since January 2026, resulted in the dismantling of several criminal cells across the country.

Among the major breakthroughs, he said, was the disruption of a 33-member gang linked to terrorism, cattle rustling and an attack on a Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara State.

The police also said suspects connected to the killing of three officers in Donga were arrested as part of efforts to ensure accountability for the attack.

Placid further disclosed that other operations targeted “one-chance” robbery syndicates, fake checkpoint operators and car burglary networks in the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding states.

In one of the recent arrests, operatives reportedly detained a 25-year-old suspect, Nasiru Ibrahim, in Benue State with an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a magazine.

Preliminary investigations linked him to a wanted bandit identified as Janari, alleged to have supplied the weapon.

The police said efforts are ongoing to arrest fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional illegal arms.

Authorities added that the Inspector-General of Police, Rilwan Olatunji Disu, has reaffirmed the force’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and assured that many of the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.