By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
Nigeria – Eagle-eyed operatives of Police Zone 5 Intelligence Response Squad, led by ASP Mohammed Usman acting on credible and actionable intelligence arrested two suspected gunrunners in Ileh community area of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The Command’s spokesman, DSP Tijani A. Momoh, while confirming the arrest gave the suspects names as, Godday Ebhodaghe ‘m’ and Ehichoya Omoiwade ‘m’.
The operatives, he said, recovered 30 locally fabricated guns, consisting of 23 single barrel, 7 double barrel guns and one English made double barrel gun.
Similar, Momoh said, “13 live cathdriges, a giant tool box and a drilling machine used for the fabrication of the illegal firearms were also recovered”.
Preliminary investigation, according to him, has revealed that the suspects were in the business of selling and also renting out these firearms to kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists who then use these illegal weapons for their operations, terrorizing the good people of Edo state and its environs in the process.
”The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, covering Delta and Edo State Police Commands, AIG. ARUNGWA NWAZUE, psc(+), mni, in his bid to mop up illegal arms and ammunitions within his jurisdiction, especially as we draw closer to the gubernatorial election in Edo State has ordered for a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the case, after which the suspects will be arraigned in Court for prosecution.
“Additionally, the AIG calls on all law-abiding citizens of Delta and Edo State to be vigilant as they go about their lawful activities and to report all suspicious activities and persons to the nearest Police Station”, Momoh stated.
