Police Intercept Gun Runners, Seize Weapons and Ammunition in Katsina.
By Yahaya Z. Mohammed
In a significant victory against illegal arms trafficking, the Nigeria Police Force successfully intercepted two suspected gun runners in Katsina State, recovering a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) along with over 1,295 rounds of various ammunition.
DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer at Force Headquarters in Abuja, announced in a press release that the operation began when a patrol team from the Katsina State Command, acting on credible intelligence, stopped a blue Volkswagen Golf near the Ingawa-Karkarku village road. The suspects, identified as Abdussalam Muhammed (25) and Aminu Mamman (23), both hailing from Baure village in the Safana Local Government Area, were taken into custody following a swift police response.
A thorough search of their vehicle revealed a GPMG, 1,063 rounds of 7.62x39mm AK-47 ammunition, and 232 rounds of 7.62x69mm PKT ammunition. Preliminary investigations suggest that the duo was transporting these illegal arms from Hadejia in Jigawa State to the Safana LGA for distribution among criminal elements in the area.
The suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue to trace the source and distribution networks involved in this operation.
The Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the officers for their bravery and quick action, urging them to maintain vigilance in the fight against organized crime. He emphasized the Police Force’s dedication to dismantling criminal networks and called on the public to assist by providing timely and reliable information to help ensure community safety.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of illegal arms trafficking in Nigeria and illustrates law enforcement’s efforts to combat the issue and protect citizens from violence.
