The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of a notorious trans-border arms trafficking syndicate, recovering a significant cache of weapons, including 17 rifles, ammunition, and firearm fabrication equipment.

The operation, carried out on November 18 by the Intelligence Response Team, led to the arrest of five suspects: Adamu Noma, Matthew Audu, Andrew Poyi, Aminu Sani, and Aminu Talha.

In a statement released on Friday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed the items recovered during the operation.

“Upon arrest and conducted search, 10 locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, five Israeli AK-47 rifles, one revolver pistol, one pump-action rifle, 20 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and one welding machine for fabrication of rifles were recovered from the suspects.”

Adejobi highlighted that the arrests and weapons seizure demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the police leadership to curbing criminal activities across Nigeria.

“These feats and several more recorded by police operatives across the country are indications of the steadfastness and commitment of the current police leadership to decimate and subdue criminal activities and insecurity in general in the country,” he said.

He further noted that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has commended the operatives for their success and reiterated his directive for tactical units to intensify efforts against the proliferation of illegal arms.

“The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has re-echoed his directive to operatives of the Force, particularly tactical units, to mop up every illegal arm and ammunition and see to the total dismantling of local manufacturers of illicit arms and dangerous weapons by all means,” Adejobi added.