Police Clamp Down on Gunrunning Syndicates, Recover 191 Firearms, Arrest 63 Suspects

In a continued effort to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and enhance national security, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has made significant breakthroughs in tackling gunrunning across the country.

Police operatives have recovered 191 prohibited firearms, 4,255 rounds of various live ammunition, and arrested 63 suspects involved in arms smuggling.

A major highlight of this enforcement operation was the apprehension of eight suspects linked to a notorious gunrunning syndicate operating in Plateau State and its surrounding areas.

The suspects, identified as Joseph Tara, Victor Ali Pam, Abua Yusuf, Bako Isa, Salamatu Iliya, Solomon Gbarale, Musa Arine, and Bitrus Chung, were caught following intelligence-led operations conducted by the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT).

According to a police report, the operation led to the discovery of a large cache of arms concealed inside a vehicle doormat owned by the syndicate.

The recovered firearms and ammunition include:

8 fabricated AK-47 rifles

4 fabricated revolver guns

4 fabricated semi-automatic pistols

11 AK-47 magazines

1,105 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition

12 rounds of 7.88mm live ammunition

In a separate operation, FID-IRT operatives arrested Amos Sunday Gyang in Plateau State for illegal possession of a semi-automatic pistol.

The suspect claimed he found the weapon hidden inside a cushion in an apartment he had rented but failed to report it to the police or surrender the firearm.

The police have reiterated that possessing an unlicensed firearm is a criminal offense, and citizens who discover weapons should immediately notify the authorities to avoid legal repercussions.

The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, remains committed to its mandate of protecting lives and property while intensifying efforts to combat security threats across the country.

Quoting the official statement:

“The Nigeria Police Force under the esteemed leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., once again reaffirms its commitment to the primary goal of protecting lives and property, sparing no efforts in effectively combatting all security threats.”

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, emphasized that this latest crackdown is part of the police’s broader strategy to dismantle gunrunning networks and prevent criminals from accessing illicit weapons.

National Security Measures to Tackle Gunrunning

The police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to firearms.

Citizens are advised to cooperate with law enforcement agencies as efforts continue to strengthen national security and eliminate criminal networks.

For further updates, stay informed with reliable news sources and follow official Nigeria Police communications.