Police sergeant arrested over supply of rifle used in Nasarawa robbery

A serving police sergeant has been arrested for allegedly supplying an AK-47 rifle used in an armed robbery attack in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest followed the apprehension of a robbery suspect, Justine Gbata, 30, of Doka Village, who was captured after gunmen attacked one Muhammad Danka of Ankoma Village and robbed him of his red Bajaj motorcycle.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 1:00 p.m. on January 24, when the attackers, armed with an AK-47 rifle, fired several shots before escaping into a nearby forest with the motorcycle.

According to the sources, a joint team of police operatives, vigilantes and local hunters launched a pursuit into the forest, leading to the arrest of one suspect. Seven expended AK-47 shells were recovered at the scene.

The suspect, who sustained injuries during the chase, was taken to the General Hospital in Doma for medical treatment.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed that the rifle used in the robbery was supplied by a serving police sergeant attached to the Daudu Division in Benue State.

The sergeant has since been identified and taken into custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Benue State for further investigation.

Police authorities said efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the robbery gang and recover the stolen motorcycle, adding that investigations into the case are continuing.