From Joe Obukata, Warri
The Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspected gun runners and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition.
The arrests were made during stop-and-search operations along the Warri/Benin road and Asaba/Benin expressway at a separate date.
On March 3, operatives intercepted a Toyota Camry driven by one Peter James, 55, from Akwa Ibom State.
Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered three AK-47 rifles, 2,080 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition, and 1,040 rounds of 5.1mm ammunition.
Delta State Police Public Relation Officer(PPRO), SP Bright Edafe,in a statement yesterday, said that the suspect was arrested near the Western Delta University, Oghara, after operatives intercepted a blue colour Toyota Camry with registration number:PHC 257 NT.
“The driver was asked to open the trunk of the vehicle, during which it was observed that the trunk of the said Camry popularly known as “big daddy” was unusually small. This aroused the suspicion of the men who were convinced that the vehicle has been modified for malicious purpose.
“The Policemen then proceeded and removed the seat of the vehicle, only to discover three ( AK-47 rifles, 2,080 rounds of 7. 62 mm AK-47 ammunition, 1,040 rounds of 51mm ammunition loaded in four boxes.
“The exhibit has been recovered, the suspect is in custody and investigation is ongoing, he added”.
In a separate operation on March 6, police arrested Yahuza Magaji, 69, and Abba Sani, 17, from Kaduna State, and recovered seven pump-action guns and 1,600 rounds of live cartridges.
Edafe, said that operatives attached to Dragon Patrol Team 02 arrested the suspect while on stop and search duty along Asaba/Benin expressway by National Open University Onicha-Ugbo.
He said that police had intercepted a Navy Blue Sharon space bus with registration number DKA 408 LM driven by one Yahuza Magaji in company with one Abba Sani, both of Lere LGA in Kaduna State.
“They disguised as traders transporting Palm Oil and Garri, but the policemen who insisted on a thorough search of the vehicle, recovered Seven pump action guns,five cartons containing 1,600 rounds of live cartridges concealed under the back seat of the vehicle.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects bought the arms from Onitsha and were transporting them to Kaduna State. The suspects are in custody and investigation is ongoing”, he added.
Commenting on the development, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda expressed delight that the marching order he gave to all tactical commanders, Area commanders, DPO’s to up their game was yielding result.
“We are determined to flush out all criminal elements in the state.
“I commend the effort and determination of our men for going the extra mile to detect the hidden firearms.”, he said.