The Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday in Abuja said it has arrested nine suspects over gun-running, drug trafficking, and other criminal offences at different locations in the country.
The force public relations officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, at a media briefing, said the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) during coordinated operations.
Mr Hundeyin said the operations led to the rescue of some kidnapped victims and the recovery of several dangerous firearms and illicit drugs.
He said seven AK-47 rifles, three pump-action rifles, two single-barrel guns, two Beretta pistols, four locally made fabricated revolver rifles, and six live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.
The police spokesman said four magazines, 35 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, 150 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and 24 bags of Indian hemp were also recovered from the suspects.
He said operatives of the IRT on October 26, following an extensive intelligence gathering, arrested a suspect over gun-running in Adamawa.
Mr Hundeyin said the arrest of the suspect led to the recovery of two Beretta pistols, one live ammunition, and two magazines.
According to him, investigations revealed that the suspects were to supply the guns to another individual in a border town between Adamawa and Cameroon.
Mr Hundeyin said further investigation also revealed that the suspect had been in the business of supplying arms for over a year now.
The police spokesman said efforts were being intensified to arrest his suppliers and accomplices and to recover other arms and ammunition in their possession.
He said two notorious suspects had also been arrested by operatives of the IRT over arms supply following an ongoing investigation.
Mr Hundeyin said one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, one pop-action rifle, and four live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.
According to him, investigations had revealed that the suspects were arms suppliers and that one of the suspects is a gun fabricator who facilitates the selling of the arms and ammunition.
He said both suspects had been in the business of selling arms for over five years and operating within Adamawa and the Cameroonian border.
Mr Hundeyin said operatives of the IRT, in collaboration with the State Security Service, on November 2 arrested a suspect over drug trafficking.
The police spokesman said the suspect was arrested in Kaduna State following credible evidence after his vehicle was intercepted.
According to him, 39 rolls, four packets of tramadol, 326 bottles of codeine, 52 rolls, eight sachets of BP injection syrups, 38 rolls, four sachets of hypnose tablets, and one roll of Indian hemp were recovered from the vehicle.
“Investigation has revealed that the suspect supplies these illicit drugs to bandits within Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto States.
“The suspect also revealed that he got into this business through another individual who is yet to be apprehended, whom he met in Sokoto State, and who pays him for every successful delivery,” he said.
He said operatives of the IRT had also arrested a suspect in possession of 24 bags of Indian hemp, being transported from Akure to Abuja.
Mr Hundeyin said the suspect, a driver, had stopped in Akure to deliver the consignment to Abuja without any passengers.
“The person who gave him the consignment told him that when he gets to Abuja, he should call a number, and that the person will come and collect the items from him.
“He was paid N150,000, but based on intelligence, operatives of the IRT intercepted the vehicle, arrested the suspect, and recovered 24 bags of Indian hemp from the vehicle.
“His excuse that he didn’t know what was inside, the person that gave him, and the person to deliver the items to will not hold water, because there is no ignorance under the law,” the police spokesman said.
(NAN)