Police recover 91 rifles, 522 live ammunition in Taraba, Nasarawa

Police in Taraba and Nasarawa states have announced separate recoveries of no less than 91 riffles and 522 live ammunition in response to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, directive that people with prohibited firearms submit it to the police within 21 days.

In Taraba alone, 56 rifles and 300 live ammunition were recovered, while 35 riffles and 222 live ammunition were recovered in Nasarawa State.

Taraba Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Akinremi, who made the discovery in the state known when he paraded some suspects at the command headquarters in Jalingo on Friday, told newsmen that the command following the IGP’s directive constituted a task force headed by DCP Operations, Faleye Olaleye, who swung into action, leading to the arrest and recovery of the arms and ammunition.

“A good number of people responded and surrendered their weapons. However, some criminally-minded persons are still holding back their arms after the expiration of the 21 days ultimatum for people to surrender their weapons.

“Following intensive surveillance, our men arrested a Fulani man, Umar Abu, from Karim Lamido Local Government Area with one AK-47 rifle with nine rounds of ammunition.

“Other weapons recovered from others include one G3 rifle, two K2 rifles, three LAR riffles, two pump-action rifles, two double-barrelled rifles, 13 single-barrelled rifles, 28 locally made pistols and 300 live ammunition,” Akinremi said.

In the same vein, Nasarawa Police Commissioner, Mr. Bello Ahmed, made the disclosure of the recovery of arms in the state to journalists at the state Command’s headquarters in Lafia.

According to him, arms recovered were two Ak-47, one Ak-49 assault rifles, one SMG rifle, one Auto six, one English-made pistol, two Dane guns and 27 locally-fabricated guns.

Also recovered were 197 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, 18 rounds of .9mm live ammunition and seven cartridges.

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“Detectives have been given rules of engagement with a view to achieving this all important directive of the police high command in the larger public interest and that citizens will sleep with their two eyes closed and go about their lawful businesses.

“We have carefully and strategically mapped out the state with a view of identifying and raiding suspected black spots and criminal havens,” he said.

Ahmed added that the Command was able to recover all the arms and live ammunition at various locations in the state following a tip-off which led to the arrest of some suspects who were found to be in possession of illegal firearms.

He said that the exercise was ongoing.

 

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