The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) yesterday announced the arrest of nine suspected gunrunners and drug traffickers, while also dismantling several criminal networks linked to violent crimes across the country.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, who announced the arrest while addressing journalists in Abuja, said the suspects were apprehended by the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) following coordinated, intelligence-led operations covering seven major cases in different parts of Nigeria.

He added that the operations also led to the recovery of a substantial cache of firearms, ammunition, and illicit drugs.

According to him, those arrested include Adamu Zaki Babangida, suspected of criminal conspiracy, arms trafficking, and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms; Daudume Bayina, arrested for alleged involvement in arms dealing; and Chibuke Nnaji and Joshua Izang, also known as Buffalo, both apprehended for unlawful possession of prohibited firearms.

Others are John Magah and Ishaya Stephen, alleged to be suppliers of arms; Ifeanyi Egbeke, arrested in connection with illegal drug distribution; Salisu Mohammed, popularly known as Mande Dawa, accused of criminal conspiracy, arms trafficking, and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms; and Uchenna Ikpe, who was arrested with 24 bags of Indian hemp.

CSP Hundeyin disclosed that the operations resulted in the seizure of two AK-47 rifles, three pump-action rifles, two single-barrel guns, two Beretta pistols, four locally fabricated revolver rifles, six live cartridges, four magazines, 35 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, and 24 bags of Indian hemp.

He further revealed that large quantities of controlled pharmaceutical drugs were also recovered.

He stated that investigations showed some of the suspects were long-standing arms suppliers to bandits operating along border communities in Adamawa, Kaduna, Zamfara, and other parts of the North-West.

Others, he said, were involved in the distribution of illicit drugs to criminal gangs responsible for violence and insecurity in several states.

The police spokesperson further noted that ongoing investigations have uncovered operational links between gunrunning, drug trafficking, and kidnapping syndicates, adding that some of the suspects confessed to supplying weapons and drugs to criminal groups over an extended period.

He assured that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to intensifying intelligence-driven operations to disrupt criminal supply chains, apprehend perpetrators, and enhance public safety nationwide, while the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. (THISDAY)

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