Police Arrest 7 Suspected Arms Dealers, Recover Dangerous Weapons (Photos)

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested some suspected criminals and gun dealers in Plateau and Taraba States.

The suspects were arrested during a sting operation carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Bureau Intelligence Response Team (FIB-IRT).

Of the seven arrested persons, Naija News reports four were arrested in Jos, Plateau State capital while the others were picked up in Ibi, Taraba State all based on credible intelligence information.

Dangerous weapons including 57 AK47 rifles and other ammunition were recovered from the suspects who have already confessed to the crime during interrogation.

A statement on Thursday regarding the development which was made available to our newsroom by the Police Force reads: “Operatives of the Force Intelligence Bureau Intelligence Response Team (FIB-IRT), in a sting operation, have arrested four notorious arm dealers and recovered 57 AK47 rifles and a large catchment of ammunition in Jos, Plateau State and from other locations across the country.

“This is in furtherance of the IGP’s recent charge to the men of the Nigeria Police Force to be dauntless in the fight against crimes and criminality in the country.

“The suspects, Hamza Zakari (aka Hamzo) aged 20yrs, Abubakar Muhammed (aka Fancy) aged 22yrs, Umar Ibrahim aged 25yrs and Muhammed Abdulkarim (aka Dan-Asabe) aged 37yrs, all males and residents of Jos were arrested following a credible intelligence on their nefarious activities in Jos and its environs.

“The suspects, who confessed to their involvement in arms dealings and other criminal acts, have been identified as one of the major links for the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal elements terrorizing the state and some other parts of the country. The investigation team is on the trail of their accomplices and they are closing in on them.

“Similarly, operatives of the FIB-IRT acting on a tip-off have smashed and arrested three suspected gun runners in Ibi LGA of Taraba State.

“The suspects, Bello Sani, Venab Puncat and Yusuf Nahoda, all of Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba, during interrogation confessed to have purchased one AK47 rifle, and one SMG rifle at the cost of Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (#900,000).

“Concerted effort has been activated to arrest their collaborators and recover the exhibits.”

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has commended the efforts and successes recorded by the FIB-IRT.

He reassured members of the public of his administration’s commitment to the fight against common enemies of the nation who are hell-bent on causing pains, tears and agony to Nigerians.

He also “called for continuous support for the Police and the security community, as the Nigeria Police Force under his leadership will up its game to ensure public safety, peace and security via intelligence-led, technology–driven and robust community–based partnership for a better security architecture in Nigeria.”

The statement added that the arrested suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.