Olusegun Ariyo
Operatives of the Zone 5 Headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force have arrested two suspected gunrunners in Edo.
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tijani Momoh, revealed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
He said the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police in charge of the Edo and Delta zone, Arungwa Nwazue, directed the mop-up of illegal arms as the Edo gubernatorial election drew closer.
“In line with the directive, on Friday, at about 05:00hrs, Zonal Intelligence Response Squad, led by ASP Mohammed Usman acting on credible and actionable intelligence stormed the Ileh community in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of state.
“During the raid, the squad successfully arrested two suspected gunrunners.
“The operatives also recovered 30 locally fabricated guns, consisting of 23 single barrel and seven double barrel guns, as well as one English made double barrel gun.
“13 live cartridges, a giant tool box and a drill machine used for the fabrication of the illegal firearms were also recovered.
“Preliminary investigation into the case revealed that the suspects were in the business of selling and also renting out these firearms to kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists who then use these illegal weapons for their operations, terrorising the good people of Edo and its environs in the process.
“The AIG has ordered for a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the case, after which the suspects will be arraigned in Court for prosecution”, Momoh said.
According to him, the AIG wants all law-abiding citizens of both states to be vigilant as they go about their lawful activities and to report all suspicious activities and persons to the nearest police station.
