The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested no fewer than 33 suspected members of a criminal network linked to terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery.

The police also recovered an anti-aircraft launcher and several high-grade weapons during coordinated operations in parts of the country.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing at the headquarters of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team in Abuja.

Placid said the suspects were apprehended in operations carried out across Kwara and Kogi states following investigations into the attack on a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, in November 2025.

Bandits had attacked the church during an evening service, killing at least three worshippers and abducting 38 others, including the pastor.

The incident, which was captured on a live stream, triggered nationwide outrage before the victims were eventually released through a joint security operation.

Weapons, Other Items Recovered
Providing an update on the investigation, Placid said preliminary findings showed that the suspects were involved in several criminal activities.

These include criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling, culpable homicide, unlawful possession of firearms, arms dealing and acts of terrorism.

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

Placid explained that the arrests followed credible intelligence gathered by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team.

He said, “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.

“The gang members were arrested at multiple locations including Gbugbu, Ora-Ago, Baballa, Kaiama, Awi, Charagi, Patigi, and Okeode.”

He added that some of the suspects abandoned weapons while attempting to escape during the operations.

“During operations, the suspects abandoned an anti-aircraft rifle and three AK-47 rifles, which were subsequently recovered by the police,” Placid said.

The police spokesperson noted that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang and recover additional weapons.

He assured that the suspects would face prosecution once investigations were concluded.