Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday intercepted 12 pump action guns and 374 cartridges from two passengers Sagir Isiyaka (40) and Bello Shehu Usman (42) who were travelling in a J5 Boxer Bus from Onitsha to Abuja in Kogi State.
The rifles and ammunition were intercepted at a checkpoint by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Okene – Lokoja – Abuja Road, Kogi NDLEA Commander, Abdulkadir Abdullahi-Fakai said.
He added that eagle-eyed officers of NDLEA discovered the rifles and ammunition after a search of sacks that were concealed in the vehicle.
The NDLEA official who disclosed while speaking with newsmen in Lokoja further confirmed that two persons were arrested in connection with the consignments.
Abdullahi-Fakai said: “The two suspects, Sagir Isiyaka (40) and Bello Shehu Usman (42) were travelling in a J5 Boxer Bus from Onitsha to Abuja before our patrol team accosted them. On searching their luggage, our eagle-eyed officers discovered the rifles and ammunition concealed in some sacks.
“When asked about how they came about such dangerous arms and ammunition, they couldn’t give any cogent or concrete reason as proof of ownership, ” he explained.
The NDLEA Commander said it was at that point that the duo were arrested with the consignments seized for further investigations. According to him, “since the matter is about arms and ammunition, we quickly transferred the case to the Nigeria Police, Kogi State Command for discrete and further investigation.”