The Nigeria Police Force, through operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) has arrested 10 suspects in separate intelligence-led operations targeting criminal networks involved in unlawful possession, trafficking and distribution of firearms across parts of the country.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu in a statement issued Thursday said in one operation conducted across Imo and Rivers States, eight suspects were arrested in connection with a suspected criminal syndicate involved in kidnapping and illegal firearms procurement.
He explained that the operation led to the arrest of Mohammadu Sani, identified as the principal suspect, who was apprehended on the outskirts of Owerri, Imo State, with an AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Iniedu added: “Investigation revealed that the suspect had previously operated in Kogi State before relocating to Port Harcourt, where he allegedly commenced efforts to reconstitute his criminal network.
“Findings further linked members of the syndicate to kidnapping operations in parts of Rivers and Imo States and established the procurement of the recovered firearm through an alleged firearms trafficking intermediary.”
In a separate operation targeting a suspected firearms trafficking syndicate in the North-Central region, Iniedu revealed the operatives arrested Yakubu Danladi Pam and Abdulsalam Mohammed Hussain.
Recovered from the suspects were: one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, one Type 06 rifle, two magazines and 28 rounds of live ammunition.
Iniedu stressed that preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects were involved in the supply, transportation and distribution of firearms across parts of the North-Central and North-Eastern regions.
He revealed that the Police have intensified efforts to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicates and further disrupt the illegal movement of firearms used to facilitate violent crimes.