The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old man called Lawal Sani and a 75-year-old suspected arms trafficker named Dahiru Abdullahi for allegedly transferring a substantial cache of firearms and ammunition from Benue to Kwara State.
The arrest was made by members of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in a coordinated operation in Lafia, the state capital, in response to credible and actionable intelligence, according to a statement published by SP Ramhan Nansel, the Police Public Relations Officer.
The two suspects, Abdullahi, a livestock dealer from Kaduna State, and Sani, a commercial bus driver from Katsina, were apprehended while transporting the weapons in a grey Toyota Hiace bus with registration number AAA 926 XL, according to Nansel, who also verified the arrest and gave details of the seizure.
One General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), three AK-47 rifles, one TAB 06 rifle, 1,096 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, 20 rounds of 7.62mm NATO calibre ammunition, and four empty magazines are among the items found inside the vehicle.
The accused allegedly admitted to receiving N500,000 in exchange for delivering the firearms to Ilorin, Kwara State; this operation is thought to be connected to the provision of weapons to criminal syndicates around the area.
“This arrest sends a clear message that Nasarawa State will not be used as a corridor for criminal activity.
“We remain resolute in our mission to dismantle illegal arms networks and safeguard the lives and property of our citizens.” said Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro Mohammed.
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The Command has launched a full-scale investigation to identify and arrest other members of the trafficking network.
The command also called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity using the official hotlines: 08112692680, 08032564469, 08036157659, and 07032532391.
