Fifteen pump action rifles have been recovered from suspected gunrunners and dealers by the Niger State Police Command in Minna.

The authorities also recovered 30 cartridges concealed in a sack from the suspects.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, disclosed this in a press briefing at the police headquarters in Dutsen-Kura Minna on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

According to the CP, police operatives intercepted a vehicle with three occupants along Maikunkele-Tegina road in Minna and during interrogation the suspects escaped.

“On 4/8/2024 at about 1900hrs based on intelligence received, Police patrol team of Anti-Kidnapping Unit attached to SCID Minna, while on routine patrol along Maikunkele-Tegina road Minna intercepted a Toyota Corolla vehicle, red in colour with Reg. No. DKA 877 HJ,” he stated.

“The vehicle was intercepted with three occupants including the driver, and in the course of interrogation, surprisingly on the guise to ease themselves, the occupants took to their heels and upon the search of the vehicle, fifteen (15) automatic pump action rifles were found with thirty (30) cartridges concealed in a sack in the vehicle.

“However, concerted effort is ongoing through investigative process to track the owner of the said vehicle and arrest the fleeing culprits towards unraveling the source and purpose of the pump action rifles, and prosecution. The case is under investigation in SCID Minna.”