A notorious gunrunner has been captured by the Kaduna State Police command agents in the state’s Zaria Local Government Area.
The command’s spokesman, DSP Mohammed Jalige, stated that while on surveillance patrol in the Kwarkwaron Manu, Basawa region of Zaria metropolis, police officers assigned to Tudun Wada Zaria stopped two individuals riding an unregistered motorcycle with suspiciously hidden baggage.
According to the authorities, the motorcycle passenger hopped off after being flagged down for a search and ran away, raising suspicion for operatives.
Four AK-47 rifles, 344 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, ten mobile phones, and charms were found after a thorough check of the motorcycle rider, who identified himself as Bilyaminu Saidu and was from Shuwaki village in Bakori LGA in Katsina.
The suspect has been detained, according to the police, who also said that preliminary investigation has shown he and his evading partner were on a sinister mission to arm his group with lethal weapons.
The Police Spokesperson said: “On December 23, at about 17:30 hrs, operatives attached to Tudun Wada Zaria, while on surveillance patrol at Kwarkwaron Manu, Basawa area of Zaria metropolitan, intercepted two men on an unregistered motorcycle with bags concealed in a suspicious manner on the motorcycle.
“On being flagged down for search, the motorcycle passenger jumped down and fled, thereby heightening the suspicion of the eagle-eyed operatives.
“The motorcycle and the rider, who gave his identity as one Bilyaminu Saidu aged 33 years of Shuwaki village, Bakori LGA of Katsina State, was immediately subjected to a thorough search which led to his arrest.
“The items recovered included four AK47 rifles, 344 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, telephones and charms.”