FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Two suspected gun runners have been arrested by officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, Edo State.
A statement issued by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Tijani Momoh, said the suspects, Godday Ebhodaghe ‘m’ and Ehichoya Omoiwade ‘m’, were arrested on Friday at Ileh Community in Ekpoma, Edo State, following a tip-off.
According to the statement, items recovered from the suspects include 30 locally fabricated guns, consisting of 23 single barrel and seven double barrel guns.
Others are one English made double barrel gun, 13 live cartridges, giant tool box and drill machine allegedly used for the fabrication of illegal firearms.
The statement informed that preliminary investigation into the case revealed that the suspects were in the business of selling and renting firearms to kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, Arungwa Nwazue, according to the statement, has ordered a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the case, after which the suspects would be arraigned in court.
“Preliminary investigation into the case revealed that the suspects were in the business of selling and also renting these firearms to kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists who then use these illegal weapons for their operations, terrorising the people of Edo State and environs in the process”, the statement claimed.