Police nab gunrunners with GPMG, ammunition in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested two suspected gunrunners with a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and large quantities of live ammunition.

Force Police Public Relations Officer (FPPRO), DCP Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the development on Monday, said the suspects — Abdussalam Muhammed, 25, and Aminu Mamman, 23, both from Baure village in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State — were intercepted at Ingawa-Karkarku village, Ingawa LGA.

He disclosed that the operation followed credible intelligence, which led to the swift tactical response of police operatives.

“Upon searching their operational vehicle, a blue Volkswagen Golf with registration number RSH-528 BV, operatives recovered one GPMG, 1,063 rounds of 7.62x39mm AK-47 ammunition, and 232 rounds of 7.62x69mm PKT ammunition concealed inside the car,” Adejobi said.

Preliminary investigation, according to him, revealed that the arms were being transported from Hadejia in Jigawa State to Safana LGA for onward distribution to criminal gangs.

The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue to trace the supply network and possible affiliations of the recovered arms.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the gallantry of the operatives and urged them to maintain the momentum in the fight against organised crime.

He reiterated the force’s commitment to dismantling gunrunning syndicates and other criminal networks across the country.