The Kaduna police command says it has arrested a suspected bandit and two gunrunners in the state.

A statement by the command spokesman, DSP Mohammed Jalige on Sunday in Katsina, said that the suspected bandit was arrested on October 2, at Sabon Gayan along Kaduna-Abuja highway.

“The Police command had on Oct 2, at about 1330hrs while acting on an actionable intelligence around Sabon Gaya along Kaduna-Abuja road intercepted a Sharon vehicle with Reg. No. MNA 819 NT driven by the suspect, who was from Minna, heading to Katsina State through Kaduna.

“Upon a thorough search of the said vehicle, the following were recovered: one assault rifle,18 rifle magazines and 241 rounds of live ammunition,” Mr Jalige said.

He also disclosed that the command had arrested a gunrunner on October 5, and recovered ammunition from him.

“The operatives while acting on cogent intelligence had on Oct 5, intercepted a gunrunner of Yan Siminti village of Niger.

“The suspect, who hails from Plateau, was on his way to Katsina State to deliver 280 rounds of 7.62 X 39mm caliber live ammunition,” he said.

Mr Jalige added that operatives of the command on October 8, apprehended a serial arms and ammunition supplier.

He said that the man, who hails from Nasa village in Kachia Local Government Area of the state, had a number of 7.62mm caliber of live ammunition when he was arrested around Galadimawa village in Giwa LGA.

The spokesman said the operatives intercepted the suspect at about 1145hrs on his way to deliver the dangerous items to his cohorts.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to have been in the nefarious business for a very long time,” Jalige said. .

The Commissioner of Police, Yekini Ayoku, directed an intensive investigation be carried out in order to arrest and prosecute all those involved.

He said that the successes being recorded wouldn’t have been possible without the required information from the public, as well as the timely follow-up and action by the police.

Mr Ayoku reiterated the need to strengthen effective collaboration to turn the tide against Nigeria’s collective enemies and reclaim the public space from them.

(NAN)