Squad (STS), Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit and the Special
Forces attached to Operation Puff Adder have resulted in the dismantling
of a 4-man international arms-smuggling syndicate.
The criminal gang operates between parts of North African, the Sahel
region and West African Countries. A total of 6000 AK47 Live ammunition
were recovered from them, a statement signed by Force PRO, Frank Mba has
said.
According to him, “The 4-man syndicate comprising: Ojoomo Olugbenga
45yrs native of Akure Central, Ondo State, ii. Oladimeji Adeogun 50yrs
native of Ido LGA of Oyo State iii. Habib Musibau 24yrs old native of
Oluyole LGA of Oyo State and Thomas Olumuyiwa 54yrs old, native of
Ado-odo Ota LGA of Ogun State, all male, were arrested at Saki town,
Nigeria-Benin Republic border in Oyo State.
“Investigation reveals that the syndicate specializes in smuggling small
arms, light weapons and ammunition from North Africa through the Sahel
region and supplying same to their criminal partners – kidnappers, armed
robbers, political thugs and other criminal elements – in Nigeria and
other West African countries.
“In addition, another set of twenty (24) AK47 rifles, four (4) pump
action guns, eleven (11) Dane guns, Ten (10) English Pistols, Two single
barrel guns, One set of army camouflage uniform and twenty two (22) live
cartridges were recovered from other criminal gangs in different parts
of the country.
“A total of thirty-eight (38) suspects were arrested for their different
roles in various criminal operations ranging from kidnapping, armed
robbery, banditry and cattle rustling.
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni, while
appreciating the general public for providing useful information to the
Police, has commended his men for this and many other feats as he
re-assures the nation that the Police will continually work round the
clock along with other security agencies towards ensuring improved
border security, control of arms proliferation and combating kidnapping,
armed robbery and other violent crimes across the country.
