The Nigerian Army has arrested three suspects over accusations of possessing firearms and other violent and unlawful offences in Zamfara State.
This was contained in a press statement signed by Captain Yusuf Mohammed, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Gusau.
The operations were carried out along the Kauran Namoda–Shinkafi and Anka–Gummi axes of the state on Sunday.
The military apprehended the gun runners, 20-year-old Lukman Suleiman, a teenager, Nafiu Isah and 60-year-old Adamu Lawali, during a stop-and-search operation, also recovering a rifle and ammunition being transported to a community in the state
According to him, troops recovered one AK-103-2 rifle, one magazine and 30 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition concealed inside a bag of millet in the vehicle.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly transporting the firearm to Yar-Galadima in Maru Local Government Area.
The two younger suspects reportedly claimed that an Alhaji resident in Gusau, whom they identified as their father, provided money for the purchase of the millet used to conceal the weapon.
They also alleged that the firearm was meant to be delivered to one Tijjani Goguwa of Yar-Galadima.
The Army said the suspects, weapon, ammunition and vehicle had been taken into custody for further investigation, while efforts were ongoing to arrest Goguwa, who was allegedly identified as the owner of the firearm.
In a separate operation at about 2:30 p.m., troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Anka detected through surveillance cameras an attack on a vehicle by suspected terrorists at Gadan Manya along the Anka–Gummi Main Supply Route.
The troops immediately mobilised to the scene and engaged the attackers as they attempted to force the occupants of the vehicle into the bush.
The intervention resulted in the rescue of six victims, while efforts continued to track down the fleeing attackers.
