THE Nigerian Police on Monday says it has arrested arms syndicate who are notorious for smuggling weapons into the country from North Africa, Burkina Faso and Benin Republic.
Police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DSP) Frank Mba, disclosed this in Abuja after parading 38 suspected persons accused of kidnapping, armed robbery and gun racketeering.
“They conceal the weapons inside hide and skin, second-hand clothing and yam flour,“ says Mba.
The Police launched Operation Puff Adder in April followings incessant attack along the Abuja-Kaduna express road
He told the newsmen that the suspects were arrested by police operatives attached to the Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
According to him, 20 AK47 rifles, 11 dane guns, four pump action rifles, 10 automatic pistols, 6, 000 live ammunition and two vehicles were recovered.
The Police noted that the arrest was in continuation of the Operation Puff Adder recently launched to tackle the security challenges on the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
He further narrated how the criminals devised new means of concealing weapons inside toys, stressing the need for members of the public to bear with the police when carrying thorough checks on vehicles.
“When you see policemen checking items like that please don’t blame them,” says Mba.
However, one one of the suspects who spoke to newsmen during the briefing said he had killed several kidnap victims who failed to pay ransoms.
The Police eventually said that the suspects would be charged to court after investigation.
Olugbenga heads the Investigations Desk at The ICIR. Do you have a scoop? Shoot him an email at [email protected]. Twitter Handle: @OluAdanikin