PICTORIAL: Troops Bust Gun-running Syndicates, Arrest Notorious Kidnapper

Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully dismantled gun-running syndicates that specialise in supplying arms and ammunition to terrorist groups operating in the North-West and apprehended a notorious kidnapper in Ogun State.

A statement by the Army on its Social Media handle on Thursday said troops recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition from the suspects.

It disclosed that troops in collaboration with other security agencies on August 7, 2024, arrested a notorious gun runner, Mallam Yau Ibrahim in Babinga Kudaru village of Saminaka in Lere local government area of Kaduna State.

In the same vein, troops of Operation Safe Haven in Jos, the Plateau State capital on July 31, 2024, burst another syndicate from whom they recovered an AK-47 rifle, AK-47 rifle magazine, 1,641 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, and 49 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition.

In another operation, troops acting on credible intelligence tracked down and arrested one 25-year-old Abubakar Shehu in the Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State.

The Army accused Shehu of belonging to a kidnap syndicate responsible for the assassination of Alhaji Mairuga Abubakar, the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) in Orelope local government area of Oyo State.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect led troops to Okoka forest in Itesiwaju local government area, where they recovered four AK-47 rifles, a locally fabricated pistol, eight magazines, one cartridge, and 110 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

“The troops are continuing their pursuit of other members of the kidnap syndicate,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, in Katsina State, troops during an ambush operation killed a terrorist at Anguwa Boka in Faskari local government area of the state and recovered one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 Magazine, three Rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, a mobile phone and assorted items.

“The arrest of the notorious gun runner Mallam Yau Ibrahim, and the apprehension of the kidnap syndicate, as well as the elimination of a terrorist alongside the recovery of arms and ammunition, are a veritable testament of the NA’s unflinching commitment in safeguarding our nation from the scourge of terrorism and criminality,” the statement said.