Police Arrest Suspected Bandit, Gunrunners In Kaduna, Niger Communities

The Kaduna State Command of the Nigeria Police Force confirmed in its latest situation report that it made an arrest of gunrunners and a suspected bandit in the state last week.

The statement made available to newsmen on Sunday by the command’s spokesman, DSP Mohammed Jalige, revealed that the suspects were apprehended on Oct. 2, at Sabon Gayan along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

Jalige said the arrest was made following intelligence received at about 1330hrs on October 2.

The police mouthpiece said the command’s operatives acted on the report and raided Sabon Gaya along Kaduna-Abuja road where it intercepted a Sharon vehicle with Reg. No. MNA 819 NT, driven by the suspect.

The suspect according to the report had departed Minna in Niger State and was heading to Katsina State through Kaduna when he was nabbed.

“Upon a thorough search of the said vehicle, the following were recovered: one assault rifle,18 rifle magazines and 241 rounds of live ammunition,” Jalige said.

He also disclosed that the command arrested a gunrunner on Oct 5, and recovered ammunition from him. “The operatives while acting on cogent intelligence had on Oct 5, intercepted a gunrunner of Yan Siminti village of Niger. The suspect, who hails from Plateau, was on his way to Katsina State to deliver 280 rounds of 7.62 X 39mm caliber live ammunition.”

Subsequent, the force in another operation on October 8, apprehended serial arms and ammunition suppliers in Kaduna. Jalige noted that the suspect who hails from Nasa village in the Kachia Local Government Area of the state had a number of 7.62mm calibre of live ammunition when he was arrested around Galadimawa village in Giwa LGA.

The spokesman said the operatives intercepted the suspect at about 1145hrs on his way to deliver the dangerous items to his cohorts.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to have been on the nefarious business for a very long time,” Jalige said.

Reacting to the developments according to Jalige, the State Commissioner of Police, Yekini Ayoku, directed an intensive investigation to be carried out in order to arrest and prosecute all those involved.

The police boss also commended residents of the areas who according to him made it possible for the operatives to carry out a timely follow-up and action.