Police Foil Gunrunning Operation in Minna, Seize Vehicle and Weapons

The incident occurred on August 4, 2024, when the police patrol team of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna, acted on intelligence reports and intercepted a suspicious vehicle.

During a press briefing at the police headquarters in Dutsen-Kura, Minna, on Wednesday, State Commissioner of Police Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman detailed the events leading to the interception.

He stated, “On August 4, 2024, at approximately 19:00 hours, based on intelligence received, a Police patrol team of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit attached to SCID Minna, while on routine patrol along Maikunkele-Tegina road, Minna, intercepted a red Toyota Corolla vehicle with registration number DKA 877 HJ.”

The vehicle, which had three occupants, including the driver, was stopped for interrogation. However, the suspects managed to escape during the questioning under the pretext of needing to ease themselves.

“The vehicle was intercepted with three occupants, including the driver. In the course of interrogation, surprisingly, on the guise to ease themselves, the occupants took to their heels,” Danmamman explained.

Upon searching the vehicle, police operatives discovered fifteen automatic pump-action rifles and thirty cartridges concealed in a sack.

The State Commissioner of Police emphasized that efforts are ongoing to track down the owner of the vehicle and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“A concerted effort is ongoing through the investigative process to track the owner of the said vehicle and arrest the fleeing culprits towards unravelling the source and purpose of the pump-action rifles and prosecution. The case is under investigation in SCID Minna,” he added.

This operation marks a significant step in the fight against illegal arms trafficking in the region, and the police are committed to bringing those responsible to justice.