Arms trafficking syndicate busted in Edo, two arrested, firearms recovered

The Zone 5 Headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force has arrested two suspected arms traffickers in Edo State.

DSP Tijani Momoh, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, made the announcement on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Edo and Delta Zones, Arungwa Nwazue, had ordered the confiscation of illicit weapons ahead of the Edo governorship election.

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“In line with the directive, on Friday, at about 05:00 hours, the Area Intelligence Response Squad, led by ASP Mohammed Usman, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, stormed Ileh community in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of ​​the state.

“During the raid, the team managed to arrest two suspected arms traffickers.

“The officers also recovered 30 locally made firearms, consisting of 23 single-barreled weapons and seven double-barreled weapons, as well as one English-made double-barreled weapon.

“13 loaded cartridges, a giant toolbox and a drill used in the manufacture of illegal firearms were also recovered.

“Preliminary investigation into the case revealed that the suspects also sold and leased these firearms to kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists who then used the illegal weapons for their operations, thereby terrorizing the good people of Edo and its environs.

“The AIG has ordered a full and thorough investigation into the matter, after which the suspects will be arraigned in court for prosecution,” Momoh said.

According to him, the AIG encourages all law-abiding individuals in the two states to remain vigilant in their lawful activities and report any suspicious activity or person to the nearest police station.