The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against violent crime with the arrest of nine suspected arms traffickers and couriers, alongside the recovery of a substantial haul of weapons, ammunition and illicit drugs across several states, including Adamawa, Kaduna and Zamfara.
The coordinated operations were carried out by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team, with support from the Department of State Services.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, provided details of the arrests and seizures.
In Adamawa State, IRT operatives arrested Daudume Baena, from whom two Beretta pistols, one live round and two magazines were recovered. Police investigations revealed that Baena had allegedly been supplying firearms to criminal elements operating along the Cameroon border for more than a year.
Subsequent recoveries linked to him included seven AK-47 rifles, three pump-action rifles, two single-barrel guns, two Beretta pistols, four locally made revolvers, 35 rounds of live ammunition of different calibres and 150 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Two other suspects, identified as John Maga, 45, and Ishaiah Stephen, 43, were also arrested for their alleged roles as arms suppliers to bandits and to Baena.
Items recovered from the duo included one AK-47 rifle, a magazine, a pump-action rifle and four live cartridges.
Maga was described as a local gun fabricator who had operated along the Cameroon border for over five years.
In Kaduna State, police arrested 40-year-old Ifai Egbeke during a vehicle stop-and-search operation. Recovered from him were large quantities of tramadol, codeine, BP injection syrups, hypnos tablets and Indian hemp.
According to investigators, Egbeke was responsible for supplying illicit drugs to bandits operating in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states.
Meanwhile, in Zamfara State, Salisu Muhammad was apprehended with an AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 32 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed inside a 50kg bag of millet.
The weapons were reportedly being transported to bandits along the Obajana axis of Kogi State. Salisu reportedly confessed to engaging in gun-running activities for over ten years.
In a related operation, police also arrested a driver, Uche Naikwe, who was intercepted while conveying 24 bags of Indian hemp from Akure to Abuja.
The consignment was allegedly intended for distribution to bandits across northern parts of the country.
CSP Hundeyin stated that all the suspects would be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded, stressing that the operations highlight the determination of the Nigeria Police Force to curb criminal activities and safeguard the nation.
“The Nigerian Police Force will not rest on its oars. Daily, our officers go into criminal hideouts to apprehend offenders and ensure they face justice,” he said, reaffirming the Force’s commitment under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
