Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered three locally fabricated rifles during a patrol operation in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest was made at about 10:00 a.m. on June 26 by troops of Sector 4, Sub-Sector 41, Gashish, following the interception of a motorcycle conveying two persons from Kuba in Bokkos Local Government Area towards Maijanki Village in Barkin Ladi.
According to the sources, the troops became suspicious of the movement of the motorcycle and attempted to stop it for a search.
On sighting the troops, the passenger reportedly threw away a bag he was carrying and fled into nearby bushes, while the rider was apprehended after a brief pursuit.
The arrested rider was identified as Alpha Nanfwang, 21, a resident of Panyam in Mangu Local Government Area.
A search of the abandoned bag led to the recovery of three locally fabricated rifles.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect claimed that the bag belonged to the fleeing passenger, whom he had picked up from Kuba.
The suspect and the recovered firearms are currently in military custody, while investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the fleeing suspect and unravel the circumstances surrounding the movement of the weapons.
Security sources said troops have intensified patrols and surveillance across the area to prevent the movement of illegal arms and deny criminal elements freedom of action in Plateau State.
