The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a 21-year-old suspected female gun trafficker who was enroute to supply ammunitions to terrorists.
Police spokesperson Ramhan Nansel, in a statement, said the arrest was made following credible intelligence that Fatima Salisu, a native of Funtua town in Katsina State, was allegedly transporting a deadly haul of ammunition through Keana and Doma LGAs, en route to deliver the consignment to criminal elements in Katsina.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence tip-off, Commissioner of Police CP Shetima J. Mohammed, ordered the immediate deployment of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit,” Nansel said.
“The team acted with precision, leading to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of 400 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and 81 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
“The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing rigorous interrogation as investigators work to dismantle the arms trafficking network and trace its possible links to armed banditry and terrorism.”
Nansel said the police remains steadfast in its resolve to rid the state of crime and called on the public to continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
Meanwhile, residents of Nasarawa State have expressed worry over the incessant arms trafficking by women to other parts of the country from Nasarawa state.
Several stakeholders are calling on the state and federal governments to launch a detail finding why Nasarawa State has become an arm traffic hub to terror states like Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna where bandits continue to hold sway despite fervent military coordinated offensives.
Dr. James Audu, a security expert who expressed serious worries over the incessant arms traffick from Nasarawa, warned that the proximity of the state to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja the seat of power, calls for diligent investigations.
“This is about the fourth time arms traffickers are arrested moving ammunitions from one parts of Nasarawa state to the state where terrorists are rampaging,” Audu said.
“The government must take serious measure to dig out who are involved and why Nasarawa state has become the supply hub of arms.
“It calls for deep concern more so as neighbouring Plateau and Benue where bandits have continue to unleash terror on residents are alleging that Nasarawa state is the host domain where those terrorists are operating from.
“We are aware governor Abdullahi Sule is doing everything possible to curtail activities of bandits in the state, though pockets of attacks and killings here and there across the state.”
Concerned stakeholders also appealed to president Bola Tinubu to order the National Security Adviser, NSA and other security formations to launch a forensic investigation to unravel why Nasarawa has continued to serve as an arms reservoir for arms traffickers to patronise.
