Olusegun Ariyo
Police in Kano State have arrested three suspected arms dealers and uncovered a cache of illegal firearms in what authorities are calling a breakthrough in the fight against weapons proliferation in the region.
The operation, which took place on April 10 in the Dorayi Babba area of Kano, led to the seizure of 15 locally fabricated rifles, 102 live cartridges, and six expended cartridges believed to have been used in previous criminal activities.
The spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued late Sunday.
According to the statement, the suspects are Abdul Sadiq (43), Ahmad Muazu (22), and Aliyu Sharif (40).
“The suspects were caught in possession of a substantial cache of illegal firearms,” said ACP Adejobi.
“Investigators are working to locate the manufacture site and apprehend other accomplices involved in the operation.”
According to the police, the arrest followed a tip-off from concerned citizens and was executed by officers attached to the Kano State Police Command.
Adejobi emphasized that the operation is part of ongoing nationwide efforts to dismantle illegal arms networks threatening public safety.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, applauded the swift action of the operatives.
He reiterated the commitment of the Force to tackle the illicit arms trade and other forms of violent crime.
