The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Police Command, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman has recovered 15 pump action rifles from suspected gunrunners and arms dealers in the state.
The Commissioner made the disclosure on Wednesday during a press briefing and the parade of some 23 suspected criminals at the State Police Command headquarters.
According to him, on 4th August, 2024, at about 1900hrs based on intelligence received, Police patrol team of Anti-Kidnapping Unit attached to SCID Minna, while on routine patrol along Maikunkele-Tegina Road, Minna, intercepted a Toyota Corolla vehicle, red in colour, with Reg. No. DKA 877 HJ.
He added, “The vehicle was intercepted with three occupants, including the driver, and in the course of interrogation, surprisingly on the guise to ease themselves, the occupants took to their heels and upon the search of the vehicle, fifteen (15) automatic pump action rifles were found with thirty (30) cartridges concealed in a sack in the vehicle.”
The Commissioner explained that concerted effort was ongoing through the investigative process to track the owner of the said vehicle and arrest the fleeing culprits towards unraveling the source and purpose of the pump action rifles.
Danmamman added that if the fleeing suspects were found and arrested in conjunction with the owner of the vehicle, the culprits would be arraigned in court and charged for prosecution.
According to him, the case was still under investigation in the State Criminals Investigations Department (SCID) Minna.
