Plateau attack: Police arrest three gunrunning syndicate, 64 others

Etim Ekpimah

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested three suspects, who are members of a gunrunning syndicate in connection with the Christmas Eve attack on some villages in Plateau State.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Tuesday, said the suspects are in police custody and assisting with the investigation.

He, however, revealed the identities of the suspects as Ahmed Sulaimon; Balikisu Aliyu, and Aboki Samuel.

Adejobi, said upon their arrest, one AK-47 rifle, one AK-49 rifle, 1000 rounds of live ammunition and five magazines were recovered from them.

He stated that the move is in accord with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, commitment to curb crimes and criminality across the country.

“The Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Department Tactical Team- DFI-IRT and DFI-STS have successfully arrested 67 suspects for various crimes ranging from kidnapping, gunrunning, one-chance, armed robbery, and banditry across the country.

“Similarly, the Police have recovered 5,454 rounds of live ammunition of different calibre, 300 live cartridges, 50 empty shells of ammunition, 68 rifles, and 33 different ATM cards, among others.

“Prominent amongst these achievements, is the arrest of three (3) suspects who are members of a gunrunning syndicate in connection with the Christmas Eve attack on some villages in Plateau State. They are currently in police custody and assisting with the investigation.

“The suspects are (1) Ahmed Sulaimon (2) Balikisu Aliyu (3) Aboki Samuel. Upon their arrest, 1 AK-47 rifle, 1 AK-49 rifle, 1000 rounds of live ammunition and 5 magazines were recovered from them,” Adejobi said.

He added that four suspects were arrested in connection with the bank robbery at Otukpo where nine (9) AK-47 rifles were recovered from the said suspects while five (5) suspects fell to the superior firepower of the Police operatives during a fierce gun duel at their hideout in Taraku village, Buruku LGA of Benue State.

He added: “They all confessed to committing the heinous act and linked other gang members who are at large and have also named Terzungwe Shionda a.k.a ‘3-star general’ (now late), Terlumum Pila and one Ayuko both at large, to be the ones supplying them arms on loan for their operations.”

The IGP reiterates the commitment of the Police to ensuring the safety and security of our citizens by relentlessly cracking down on criminals and criminally related activities and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure Nigeria is a safe space for everyone.