The Police Command in Katsina has intercepted two suspected gunrunners with General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 1, 063 rounds of 7.62x39mm AK-47 ammunition, and 232 rounds of 7.62x69mm PKT ammunition.
This is contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Katsina.
Adejobi said that the suspects were intercepted on the Ingawa-Karkarku village road in Katsina State on Monday.
He added that the suspects were identified as Abdussalam Muhammed, 25, and Aminu Mamman, 23, both residents of Baure village in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He revealed that they were apprehended following credible intelligence on their activities, which resulted in a swift tactical response from the Police operatives.
“Upon searching their operational vehicle, a blue-coloured Volkswagen Golf with Registration Number: RSH-528 BV, the following exhibits were found concealed inside the vehicle: One General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 1,063 rounds of 7.62x39mm AK-47 ammunition, and 232 rounds of 7.62x69mm PKT ammunition,” he said.
The force PRO explained that preliminary investigations indicated that the items were being transported from Hadejia in Jigawa to Safana LGA in Katsina State for distribution to notorious criminals.
Adejobi said that the suspects were currently in custody, and an in-depth investigation was ongoing to uncover the source, destination network, and possible affiliations of the recovered arms.
He said that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the gallantry and swift response of the operatives and encouraged them to sustain the tempo.
The IGP reiterated the commitment of the force to dismantling all forms of organised criminal networks operating across the country.
More LGAs sign peace accord with bandits
More local governments in Katsina State have entered into peace agreements with bandits terrorising communities across the state.
The latest accord involved Musawa Local Government, which reached an understanding with the armed groups under the state government’s Operation Safe Corridor initiative.
The dialogue, held on Sunday at Tashar Mai Alewa Primary School in Danmusa Local Government Area, was aimed at fostering sustainable peace and reconciliation.
The Musawa community was represented by the council chairman, the district head, and other key stakeholders.
On the bandits’ side, representatives, including Ummaru Munore and Wada Turawa, participated through their mediator, Ardo Abdulkarim Yantumaki.
According to a communiqué issued after the meeting, both parties resolved to strengthen peaceful coexistence, facilitate the release of kidnapped and detained persons, and uphold justice and order.
Speakers from both sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining peace and preventing further hostilities.
Security agencies have intensified patrols and surveillance in the area to consolidate the progress recorded through the dialogue
Earlier, Daily Trust had reported that community leaders and bandits in Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State, on Thursday, signed a peace agreement.
The agreement, brokered by the Maradin Katsina and district head of Kurfi, Alhaji Mansur Amadu Kurfi, and the local government chairman, Babangida Abdullahi Kurfi, took place at Wurma forest, a hotspot for insecurity.
Key leaders of the bandits, including Alhaji Usman Kachalla Ruga, Sani Muhindinge, Yahaya Sani (Hayyu) and Alhaji Shu’aibu, pledged to cease hostilities, release captives and allow farmers to return to their lands without fear.
The community leaders, in turn, promised to work with the bandits to rehabilitate schools and hospitals and ensure fair treatment of detained members.
Communities in Jibia, Batsari, Safana, and Danmusa LGAs had previously entered into a peace pact with bandits.
Katsina State has in recent years been at the centre of recurring banditry that has devastated rural communities.
Bandits carry out raids, killings, kidnappings, cattle rustling, and destroy communities.
Villages across frontline local governments such as Jibia, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Faskari, and Kankara have been repeatedly targeted.
The attacks often involve armed men on motorcycles who storm villages, shooting sporadically and setting houses ablaze. Dozens of lives have been lost in different incidents, while thousands of residents have been displaced.
Farmers have abandoned their farmlands for fear of attacks, worsening food insecurity in a largely agrarian state.
Security forces, including the military, police, and vigilante groups, have launched various operations to curb the menace. However, the armed bandits continue to adapt, often retreating into forests and resurfacing with fresh attacks on vulnerable communities.
In response to the persistent violence, several local governments have entered into peace accords under the Operation Safe Corridor initiative, with the aim of reducing bloodshed, securing the release of hostages, and restoring normalcy.
While some communities have reported temporary relief, critics said such agreements embolden the bandits and undermine justice.
DAILY TRUST
