Officers Foil Plot to Smuggle Bomb into Ikot Ekpene Prison as Agencies Report Major Crime Busts

Security agencies have foiled an attempt to smuggle an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) into a custodial centre in Ikot Ekpene, while also reporting zero prison breaks, hundreds of repatriations, and the dismantling of an illegal arms factory in the first half of 2026.

The updates were disclosed Thursday at a joint security briefing organised by the *Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA)* in Abuja.

—NCoS: Bomb Plot Foiled, Zero Prison Breaks—

NCoS spokesperson Jane Osuji said the service recorded zero prison breaks nationwide between January and June 2026.

She said “eagle-eyed officers” intercepted an IED at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ikot Ekpene, preventing what could have been a major security breach.

Intelligence-led operations also led to the arrest of six suspected traffickers attempting to smuggle prohibited items into custodial centres in Agodi, Kano, Ondo, Akure, Kaduna and Kuje.

Routine searches recovered 1,167 contraband items, including 130 mobile phones, 2.5kg of Indian hemp, 268 illicit drugs, 41 MP3 speakers, 24 power banks and cash.

Osuji said 628 violent extremist offenders remain in lawful custody under enhanced monitoring. She added that 22 security infrastructure projects were completed or ongoing, while 27 personnel were sanctioned under a zero-tolerance policy.

The recidivism rate dropped from 88% to 30% over three years, following vocational training, psychosocial support, and non-custodial measures. Nine inmates were granted parole for the first time under the system.

—Immigration: 567 Repatriated, 563 Trafficking Victims Rescued—

NIS spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi said the service repatriated 567 foreign nationals and rescued 563 victims of human trafficking between January and May.

He said six foreign nationals were deported, including four linked to a visa racketeering syndicate and two who completed prison terms.

Operatives also recovered 47 NIN cards from irregular migrants and apprehended 21 stowaways at seaports. NIS has deployed surveillance masts under the e-Border Solution and set up an Integrated Operating Centre to strengthen surveillance.

—NSCDC: Arms Factory Dismantled, ?1bn Fake Currency Intercepted—

NSCDC’s Babawale Afolabi said the corps arrested 220 suspects, dismantled an illegal arms factory in Yobe producing rifles for bandits, and intercepted counterfeit foreign currency worth N1 billion between January and June.

He said operatives recovered gun-making equipment and arrested one suspect. Court orders were also obtained to seal Inner Galaxy Steel Company and Jiuxing Integrity Industrial Ltd over alleged large-scale infrastructure vandalism.

A cable theft syndicate was dismantled with 10 suspects arrested after a gun duel that left one suspect neutralised. 16 suspects were arrested for kidnapping, cattle rustling and illegal firearms possession, while 8 were apprehended for illegal mining.

The Peace and Conflict Resolution Department handled 3,420 disputes between January and May, resolving 2,692.