Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have intercepted a vehicle conveying a large quantity of explosive materials in Daura Local Government Area of the state.
The police spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Katsina.
Aliyu said the explosives were recovered on January 7 during an intelligence-led stop-and-search operation at a checkpoint in Koza, Daura.
“On Jan. 7, while on an intelligence-led stop and search, a team of policemen succeeded in intercepting a Golf vehicle driven by one Jamilu Musa, aged 40,” he said.
“Upon instant search, 6,975 pieces of detonators were recovered in the suspect’s possession, neatly concealed,” Aliyu added.
According to him, the suspect confessed during interrogation that he collected the explosive materials from one Najib, who is currently at large, while travelling from Kano State to Kongolam in Mai’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He further revealed that two other suspects, Ibrahim Murtala and Sulaiman Muhammad, were arrested during further investigations.
“About 7,500 electric detonators and 30 and a half bags of gelatine, weighing 2,273.65 kilograms, were recovered in their possession,” the police spokesperson said.
Aliyu stated that all the suspects confessed to the crime and would be charged to court once investigations are concluded. He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect.
The police spokesperson said the operation was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on improved vigilance and intelligence-driven patrols, especially on highways.
He assured residents that the Katsina State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Bello Shehu, would continue to strengthen security measures to protect lives and property across the state.
