Security: Police enforce clampdown on gunrunning, firearms proliferation

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) High Command on Monday stated that, in continuation of its intensified efforts to bolster national security and combat organized crime, the force has recorded outstanding achievements in tackling gunrunning and significantly reducing the proliferation of prohibited firearms and ammunition across the country.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Force Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

According to the statement, “One of these significant achievements is the arrest of eight suspects belonging to a gunrunning syndicate operating within Plateau State and its environs.

“The suspects, identified as Joseph Tara ‘m’, Victor Ali Pam ‘m’, Abua Yusuf ‘m’, Bako Isa ‘m’, Salamatu Iliya ‘f’, Solomon Gbarale ‘m’, Musa Arine ‘m’, and Bitrus Chung ‘m’, were arrested after credible intelligence led operatives of the FID-IRT to the first suspect, consequently leading to the discovery of a large cache of arms concealed inside a vehicle doormat belonging to the syndicate.

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“The exhibits recovered during the operation include 12 rounds of 7.88mm live ammunition, eight fabricated AK-47 rifles, four fabricated revolver guns, four fabricated semi-automatic pistols, 11 AK-47 magazines, and 1,105 live AK-47 rounds.”

The statement added that operatives of the FID-IRT also arrested one Amos Sunday Gyang in Plateau State in possession of a semi-automatic pistol, which he claimed to have found hidden inside a cushion of an apartment he had rented.

According to the suspect, he neither reported the discovery to the relevant authorities nor took any steps to surrender the weapon but instead kept it for purposes known only to him.

The police urged members of the public to be aware that “it is a crime to be found in possession of a weapon without proper licensing.”

They advised that in the case of discovering any weapon, citizens should ensure they notify the police and avoid any form of implication.

The statement reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, under the esteemed leadership of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to its primary goal of protecting lives and property while sparing no effort in effectively combating all security threats.

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