Sokoto-Niger Republic kidnap syndicate busted, AK-47 and pump-action guns seized: Police
The police authorities say they have busted a Sokoto-Republic of Niger kidnap syndicate and other suspected criminals, seizing AK-47 and pump-action guns from them.
According to the police, operatives rounded off at least 84 suspects for illegal manufacturing and distribution of vehicle number plates, kidnapping, banditry, robbery, and homicide-related cases.
The police spokesman Frank Mba announced this at a news briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
They were arrested for gunrunning, illegal possession of weapons, unlawful possession of firearms, and other offences.
Mba stated that the suspects, including three females, were arrested in different parts of the country in April and May.
He said the arrests were major achievements recorded by the police key operational and investigative units, the Intelligence Response Team, and the Special Tactical Squad.
He also said the achievements had nothing to do with other landmark investigative and operational breakthroughs at the various zones and state commands across the country.
He further disclosed that “45 assorted firearms, consisting of one GPMG riffle, 17 AK-47 rifles, 20 locally-fabricated AK-47 rifles, two pump-action, and three single-barreled guns,” were recovered.
Mr Mba noted that other exhibits recovered from the suspects were 9,899 live ammunition, consisting mainly of AK-47 and GPMG live ammunition.
He said kidnap syndicates operating between Sokoto and the Republic of Niger borders were among the suspects. On Monday, the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, warned National Youth Service Corps members that the northern state is not safe amid the continued deterioration of insecurity across the country.
Mr Mba added that the suspects had carried out several operations on both sides of the borders.
According to him, the leader was also a convict from the Republic of Niger.
Mr Mba explained that two suspects, including a student of the University of Jos, were arrested over culpable homicide.
He noted that three suspects were arrested for manufacturing and distributing illegal vehicle number plates.
Mr Mba said all the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
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