Security operatives have intercepted a vehicle conveying arms and ammunition allegedly meant for criminal elements operating in Kogi, the state government has said.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja.
Fanwo said the operation was carried out by local security operatives, Hybrid Forces under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.
He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of arms and ammunition intended for criminal groups seeking to undermine security in the state.
According to him, the intelligence identified a Golf 2 vehicle allegedly being used to transport the weapons.
Fanwo said security agencies, in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government and security operatives in the state, tracked the suspects and maintained surveillance on their activities.
He said the operation led to the arrest of three suspects in Sokoto State after more than two weeks of covert surveillance.
The commissioner said items recovered included two AK-47 rifles, several AK-47 magazines, 67 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two pistols, 12 rounds of pistol ammunition and military uniforms.
He added that preliminary investigations had yielded useful intelligence, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the suspected arms trafficking syndicate.
Fanwo said intelligence reports indicated that the weapons were intended to replenish the stockpile of criminal groups that had suffered setbacks following recent security operations in the state.
According to him, security agencies had intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance and inter-state collaboration to prevent criminal elements from regrouping.
He described the interception as evidence of the effectiveness of the state government’s intelligence-driven security strategy.
The commissioner commended the security agencies involved in the operation and appreciated the support of the Sokoto State Government and other stakeholders.
He also acknowledged the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and President Bola Tinubu for supporting efforts to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
Fanwo assured residents that there was no cause for alarm, adding that security agencies had intensified surveillance across strategic locations in the state.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide useful information to security agencies.
