A 21-year-old woman, Fatima Salisu, has been arrested by the Nasarawa State Police Command for allegedly transporting 481 rounds of live ammunition to suspected terrorists.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Ramhan Nansel, made this known on Thursday while speaking with journalists in Lafia, the state capital.
He said Fatima, who is from Funtua in Katsina State, was arrested in the Azuba area of Lafia. She was said to be on her way to deliver the ammunition through Keana and Doma Local Government Areas, heading towards Katsina.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence tip-off, Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima J. Mohammed, ordered the immediate deployment of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit,” Nansel said.
He explained that during the operation, police officers found 400 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and 81 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition in the suspect’s possession.
Fatima is now in custody and is being questioned by the police. Investigators are trying to uncover others involved in the illegal arms supply network, especially those connected to banditry and terrorism.
SP Nansel said the arrest is a big breakthrough in the fight against the spread of illegal weapons and rising insecurity in the region.
“This operation shows our commitment to stopping crime in the state,” he said. “We call on the public to continue supporting us with useful information that can help improve security.”
The Police Command also promised to keep working hard to make Nasarawa safe for all residents.