Edo State Command of the Nigeria Police has announced the arrest of nine suspects in connection with the 136 illegal firearms and 167 live cartridges recovered by command headquarters, Benin City, as part of its efforts to rid the state off criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo disclosed this during media briefing that the suspects were arrested at different occasions, while guns and live cartridges were recovered during the mop-up exercise on arms and ammunition.
While breaking down the recovery, Kokumo noted that five suspects were arrested, total of 120 guns and 154 live cartridges were recovered during the mop-up exercise in compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun to all commands to mop up illegal arms and ammunition in circulation.
Speaking further, the police boss stressed that: “In another development, the command arrested three members of a kidnap gang namely; Daniel Kolade, Amos Oja and Osaro Oja. They threatened to kidnap one Reuben Eghobor, if he refused to pay the sum of N1m into a Zenith Bank account.
“One AK-47 rifle, one pump action gun, two double barrel guns, one cut to size double barrel guns, two dane guns, nine calibre live ammunition, seven live cartridges, and one Infinix telephone set with two sim cards were recovered from them.
“Similarly, the command arrested one David Ajiri for conspiring with others still at large to rob one Jackson Okuomoise of his Lexus SUV jeep with registration number BEN 330 TA and other valuables. “The robbers thereafter abducted the victim’s friend, named Onyeka Uche, shot him and left him dead, but God saved him, and he helped in a great deal that led to the arrest of this suspect. Three pump action guns, three cut to size double barrel guns, three cut to size pistols and six live cartridges were recovered from him.
“The command, therefore, wishes to thank the good people of Edo State in volunteering credible information and other sister security agencies for their cooperation that has led to these laudable achievements. We wish all citizenry of our worthy stewardship and peaceful Easter celebration.” the CP said.
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