Troops arrest notorious gunrunner, wife in Kaduna

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (JTF-OPEP), have arrested a suspected gunrunner and his wife in Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The operation’s Media Officer, Major Samson Zhakom, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Wednesday in Jos.

According to Zhakom, the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated intelligence-led operation aimed at curbing the proliferation of illegal arms and enhancing security in the region.

Mr Zhakom said that the 40 and 18 years-old suspects were apprehended on Oct. 8, by its troops in collaboration with Operation Fansan Yamma, OPFY.

“In a coordinated operation to enhance security across the Joint Operations Area, troops JTF OPEP in collaboration with that of OPFY tracked and apprehended two notorious gunrunners.

“The suspects were intercepted at a snap checkpoint established by the joint troops of JTF OPEP and OPFY at the outskirts of Saminaka in Lere LGA.

“The operation, prompted by auctionable intelligence from an intelligence agency in Plateau, led to the recovery of 1,207 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition.

“The ammunition was believed to be bound for armed groups operating in the North West region of the country,” he said.

The media officer said that suspects and other items recovered are currently in its custody undergoing further investigation.

NAN