The Cross River State Government has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies for intercepting a cache of high-calibre weapons, including three General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and seven AK-47 assault rifles.

Deputy Governor Peter Odey gave the commendation on Friday after inspecting the seized weapons at the DSS state headquarters in Calabar.

Odey, who represented Governor Bassey Otu during the visit, praised the DSS for the intelligence-led operation that resulted in the recovery of the weapons.

He said the arrest of two suspected gunrunners during the operation would help the DSS and other security agencies track down those behind the illegal arms trade.

The deputy governor warned that the weapons could have wreaked havoc in Cross River and neighbouring states if they had not been intercepted, particularly during the forthcoming general elections.

He said the seizure underscored the importance of intelligence gathering and collaboration among security agencies in tackling crime and preventing violence.

Odey also praised the growing cooperation between security agencies and the military, noting that the synergy had strengthened the government’s efforts to combat criminal activities in the state.

He said the state government valued the contributions of security operatives to maintaining peace and security, adding that sustained collaboration would be critical to preventing criminal elements from undermining public safety.

The government’s commendation followed the interception of the weapons and the arrest of the two suspected gunrunners, which Odey said could help investigators identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the illegal arms trade.