The Nigerian Police Force’s Zone Five Headquarters has announced the arrest of two alleged gunrunners in Edo State.
DSP Tijani Momoh, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, stated this in Abuja on Saturday.
According to Momoh, Arungwa Nwazue, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Edo and Delta zones, has ordered the seizure of illicit weaponry in his authority as the Edo gubernatorial election approaches.
“In line with the directive, on Friday, at about 05:00hrs, the 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 the 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 toolbox, 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 a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the case, after which the suspects will be arraigned in court for prosecution,” the ZPPRO said.
Momoh went on to say that the AIG urges all law-abiding individuals in both states to remain vigilant while carrying out their lawful activities and to report any suspicious actions or people to the nearest police station.
