The Nasarawa State Police Command has smashed a major gunrunning syndicate, arresting nine suspects, including fake soldiers and arms manufacturers, and recovering 38 guns, 4,264 live ammunition, and a stolen car.
The Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed Jauro, who led one of the raids, told journalists at the Command Headquarters in Lafia on Tuesday that the breakthroughs were part of renewed efforts to crush crime in the state.
“On September 7, at about 1830hrs, we got credible intelligence that suspected gunrunners from Benue were sighted in a forest bordering Kadarko, Keana LGA. They were offloading arms and ammunition for onward distribution to criminal partners. On sighting my team, they fled into the forest, abandoning their load,” Jauro said.
The recovered items included four AK-49 rifles, three AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one submachine gun, eleven magazines, and thousands of live bullets.
In a separate operation, police arrested one John Paul of Abuja along Akwanga-Wamba Motor Park with five locally made rifles hidden in his luggage.
Also paraded were two brothers, James and Alpha Philip, accused of producing and selling firearms in Lafia. Four of their alleged buyers and distributors — Usman Abubakar, Yakubu Danladi, Usman Kasimu alias Bobo, and Abdullahi Adamu — were also arrested.
From the group, police seized thirteen long-range single-barrel guns, ten short guns, a revolver, swords, charms, police uniforms, and machines used for gun-making.
In another bust, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit intercepted a black Peugeot 508 with registration number LFA-86-MF. Inside the car were three men — Iliya Adamu, 23, Ishaya Monday, 23, and Hussaini Usman, 25 — who were dressed like soldiers but had no military identification.
Recovered items included a jungle hat, military polo shirts, and a black shirt with Army markings.
“The suspects falsely claimed to be members of the Nigerian Army. They are in custody and assisting investigations,” the CP said.
Jauro praised his officers for their bravery and urged residents to continue providing intelligence.
“I want to assure residents that we will not relent in ridding the state of criminals. We call on the public to remain vigilant and law-abiding while supporting security agencies with timely information,” he added.
