Aminu Ibrahim, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ward chairman in Birnin Yero ward in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State has been arrested over alleged gun-running.
Ibrahim was arrested alongside two people Musa Usman Seun and Isah Mohammed by Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadarin, (OPHD).
According to a military intelligence source in the state, “The troops of the Joint Task Force North West Operation Haderin Daji acted on credible intelligence on activities of a notorious gunrunner trying to smuggle arms into the state.”
It was also learnt that the troops quickly arranged a roadblock where they arrested the three suspected gunrunners.
“The 3 suspects, Musa Usman Seun, Aminu Ibrahim, and Isah Mohammed were apprehended at Shinkafi on 22nd January 2024 and the sum of two million five hundred and eighty thousand Naira, 1 Volkswagen Wagon, 3 mobile phones and other items recovered from them.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that the huge sum of money recovered from the suspects was for the exchange of assorted weapons at the Illela border in Sokoto State. The suspects are undergoing further interrogation.”
Similarly, the police in Akwa Ibom said it has arrested 79 suspects for various offences since January 1.
Commissioner of Police Olatoye Durosinmi disclosed this at a news conference at Police Headquarters on Friday in Uyo.
Durosinmi said the operatives of the command arrested the suspects for various crimes, including murder, kidnapping, robbery and cultism.
According to him, the greatest achievement within the month was the arrest of 10 kidnappers who were planning to unleash mayhem on residents of the state.
He added that the operatives of the Ibiono Ibom Division recovered four AK-47 rifles during the operation in which the kidnappers were arrested.
“As we strive daily to keep the state safe, criminal elements too have continued to try to perpetrate their nefarious acts.
“This January alone, 79 criminal elements have been arrested for various crimes. The greatest achievement within the month was the arrest of 10 confessed kidnappers who were planning to unleash mayhem on the state and the recovery of four AK-47 rifles.
“On January 16, 2024, at about 3:45 pm, operatives of Ibiono Ibom Division, relying on credible intelligence, stormed Ibiaku Ikot Oku forest, where over 15 heavily armed suspects were camping, and engaged them in a gun duel.
“Some of the suspects escaped with bullet wounds, while four of them were arrested and one AK-47 rifle recovered. A swift follow-up operation by the anti-robbery unit of the command led to the arrest of another six suspects and the recovery of three more AK-47 rifles,” Durosinmi said.