NSCDC Nabs 16 Suspects for Counterfeiting, Kidnapping, and Illegal Mining in Massive Multi-State Crackdown

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dealt a massive blow to organized crime syndicates operating across Northern Nigeria. On Monday, March 9, 2026, the Corps paraded 16 suspects arrested for an array of charges including the printing of counterfeit currency, arms manufacturing, and illegal mining.

At the center of the “State of Harmony” breach is Abbas Garkuwa, who was intercepted in Kano with a staggering $600,000 in fake U.S. banknotes. Investigators believe the counterfeit haul, worth nearly ₦1 billion, was destined for the black market. Garkuwa had reportedly already swindled unsuspecting victims out of millions of Naira using his high-quality forgeries before the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad closed in.

The crackdown also “flipped the script” on a criminal network that had been hiding in plain sight. In a separate operation, operatives discovered a syndicate using a fake private security company as a cover to move illegal firearms from Yobe to Kogi State. This group is also linked to a series of kidnappings and unregulated mining activities that have plagued the region’s mineral-rich districts.

“We are seeing a disturbing trend of young Nigerians turning to economic sabotage,” stated NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Audi. He warned that the Corps would not treat these threats lightly, especially as the nation moves toward a more structured “Renewed Hope” economy. With arms manufacturers in Yobe and “gold-dust” miners in Abuja now in custody, the NSCDC has sent a clear message: the protection of Nigeria’s wealth and citizens is a non-negotiable priority.