The Nasarawa State Police Command has apprehended a 75-year-old man, Dahiru Abdullahi, and his 40-year-old accomplice, Lawal Sani, for allegedly trafficking a substantial cache of firearms and ammunition from Benue to Kwara State.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed that the arrests were made following credible intelligence received by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, who conducted a coordinated operation in Lafia, the state capital.
Significant Weapons Seizure
The suspects were intercepted while transporting weapons in a grey Toyota Hiace bus with registration number AAA 926 XL. Abdullahi, identified as a cattle trader from Kaduna State, and Sani, a commercial bus driver from Katsina State, were allegedly paid N500,000 to deliver the weapons to Ilorin, Kwara State.
The police recovered an alarming arsenal from the vehicle, including:
1 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG)
3 AK-47 rifles
1 TAB 06 rifle
1,096 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition
20 rounds of 7.62mm NATO calibre ammunition
4 empty magazines
Police Response and Investigation
Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro Mohammed emphasized the significance of the arrest, stating, "This arrest sends a clear message that Nasarawa State will not be used as a corridor for criminal activity. We remain resolute in our mission to dismantle illegal arms networks and safeguard the lives and property of our citizens."
Security experts believe the weapons were likely intended for criminal syndicates operating across the region. The Command has launched a full-scale investigation to identify and apprehend other members of the trafficking network.
The Nasarawa State Police Command has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities through their official hotlines: 08112692680, 08032564469, 08036157659, and 07032532391.
This arrest comes amid growing concerns about the proliferation of illegal firearms in Nigeria's Middle Belt region, which has experienced various security challenges in recent years.
