The Nigerian police, Oyo State Command, has arrested two suspected international gun runners and recovered 2625 pump-action cartridges allegedly smuggled into the country through unauthorised border routes.
The suspects, Isiaka Dare, 35, and Taiwo Ayodabo, 33, both of Tede, were apprehended at Budo Mosalasi, Saki, during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit, Saki Operation Base.
The police in a statement said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly trafficked ammunition from the Republic of Benin into Nigeria and distributed the prohibited cartridges to unauthorised individuals within the country.
Confirming the development in a statement, the Command said, “The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a major operational breakthrough in its sustained crackdown on the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition, a menace directly linked to violent crimes within the State and beyond.”
The statement explained how the operation was carried out, stating, “In furtherance of this commitment, operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit, Saki Operation Base, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, executed a coordinated intelligence-led operation which led to the arrest of two suspected international gun runners.
“The suspects, identified as Isiaka Dare ‘m’, aged 35 years, and Taiwo Ayodabo ‘m’, aged 33 years, both of Tede, were apprehended at Budo Mosalasi, Saki.”
On the nature of the alleged criminal network, the Command added, “Investigation so far reveals that the suspects operate across international terrain, trafficking ammunition illegally from the Republic of Benin into Nigeria through unauthorised border routes.
“Their criminal enterprise involves the clandestine importation and distribution of prohibited ammunition to unauthorised individuals within the country — arms and ammunition which may ultimately be deployed in the commission of armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.”
Detailing the items recovered, the police stated, “Corroborating this intelligence, operatives recovered one hundred and five (105) packets of pump-action cartridges concealed in four (4) jerry cans/kegs, with each packet containing twenty-five (25) cartridges, amounting to a total of two thousand six hundred and twenty-five (2,625) cartridges.
“Two unregistered motorcycles believed to have been used for the illegal transportation and distribution of the ammunition were equally recovered.
“The suspects have confessed to the crime and are currently assisting investigators in unravelling the wider transnational network and identifying other accomplices involved in the illicit trade.”
The Command also outlined the next steps in the case, saying, “Consequent upon this development, the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, has directed that the suspects be charged to court upon the conclusion of a thorough and comprehensive investigation.
“The CP commended the professionalism and precision of the intelligence-led operation carried out by the Command Monitoring Unit, noting that proactive policing and actionable intelligence remain critical tools in dismantling organized criminal networks.”
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