The Nasarawa State Police Command has recovered an unregistered motorcycle suspected to have been stolen.

In a statement on Sunday, the spokesperson for the command, Ramhan Nansel, said that weapons hidden in the motorcycle were recovered by operatives from the Giza Division in Keana Local Government Area during a stop-and-search operation.

Mr Nansel said the rider fled and abandoned the motorcycle when the operatives flagged it down.

According to Mr Nansel, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, at about 04:00 p.m. on Saturday, received credible intelligence regarding the movement of a suspected criminal transporting arms and ammunition.

He said the commissioner subsequently ordered a manhunt for the suspect, with a stop-and-search operation along the Giza-Kadarko Road.

“During the operation, a suspicious individual riding an unregistered Bajaj motorcycle was intercepted. However, upon being flagged down for questioning, the suspect abandoned the motorcycle and fled into a nearby bush, evading immediate arrest.

“A subsequent search of the abandoned motorcycle led to the recovery of the following items: one (1) AK-47 rifle (Breach No. 0413), two (2) magazines, forty-five (45) rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition,” the command’s spokesperson noted.

He said the recovery strongly suggests a connection to criminal activity, and efforts were underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect, as well as trace the origin and intended use of the recovered firearm and ammunition.