•As IGP Egbetokun re-echoes directive to mop up illegal arms
The operatives of the FID-IRT of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested five suspects over alleged trans-border gun-running.
This comes just as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun re-echoed his directive to operatives of the Force, particularly, tactical units, to mop up every illegal arms and ammunition, and see to the total dismantling of local manufacturers of illicit arms and ammunition.
Parading the suspects identified as Adamu Noma ‘m’, Matthew Audu ‘m’, Andrew Poyi ‘m’, Aminu Sani ‘m’, and Aminu Talha ‘m’ before newsmen in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi’ said that the suspects were apprehended by the operatives following a tip-off.
According to him, “Upon arrest and conducted search, 10 locally fabricated Ak-47 rifles, 5 Israeli Ak-47 rifles, 1 revolver pistol, 1 pump action rifle, 20 rounds of Ak-47 ammunition, and 1 welding machine for fabrication of rifles were recovered from the suspect.”
He explained that these feats, and several more recorded by police operatives across the country were indications of the steadfastness and commitment of the current police leadership to decimate and subdue criminal activities and insecurity in general in the country.
He commended the operatives for a good job and promised that the suspects would be charged in court
Responding to questions from newsmen, one of the suspects, Matthew Audu said he inherited the manufacturing of guns from his late grandfather and his father and claimed that he didn’t know that It was an illegal business.
Also speaking, another suspect Andrew Poyi who served as a corner for the syndicate said he used to charge a sum of N5,000 per consignment and that he was paid N10,000 the day he was arrested and he was not aware that the consignment he was carrying was weapons.
The Force Spokesperson urged citizens to expose people doing such illegal ventures in their localities to aid police efforts at curbing crimes in the society
He also urged Nigerians to be careful while handling consignments for others, saying that ignorance was not a defence to the commission of a crime.
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