15 Boko Haram arms suppliers nabbed, bandits kill policeman

Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested no fewer than 15 individuals allegedly supplying arms and logistics to terrorists in Taraba, Kaduna, and Yobe states.

This was as suspected bandits, in the early hours of yesterday, killed one police officer, Inspector Eze, and one other local vigilante officer in Sokoto State.

During the Taraba, Kaduna, and Yobe operations, some arms and ammunition, Point of Sale machines, vehicles, and handcuffs were also recovered.

According to a statement posted on X, yesterday, the army said five of the suspects were arrested in Taraba State.

The service said troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, two fabricated rifles, two single-barrel guns, and two Dane guns, among others, during the operation.

The post read, “Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, acting on credible intelligence, have successfully captured 15 terrorist gunrunners and logistics suppliers and neutralised one in an encounter.

“On August 30, 2024, troops conducted a raid on terrorist gunrunners and logistic suppliers at Mararaba Donga and Manya village in Donga and Takum Local Government Areas of Taraba State.

“The operation, executed with precision, resulted in the arrest of five suspects. The troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, two fabricated rifles, two single-barrel guns, 2 Dane guns, one rifle butt, 61 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition and 8 live cartridges.

“Other items seized by the troops include two extra AK-47 rifle magazines, one pistol holster, one magazine holster, one pair of handcuffs, three daggers, one police helmet, one axe, one point of sale machine and 10 mobile phones.”

The Army also said in Yobe State, troops arrested three Boko Haram logistic suppliers at Jimbal Village of Tarmuwa Local Government Area.

“During preliminary investigation, the suspects revealed that they had been in the business for more than two years, evading security checks by collaborating with some local vigilantes in the area.

“Items recovered from the suspects include three vehicles, five motorcycles, a large quantity of motorcycle tyres, numerous spare parts, and a significant quantity of drugs.

“Troops also seized rolls of fabrics used by terrorists to sew uniforms and the sum of N48,000,” the statement added.

The army added that in another operation conducted in Kaduna State, four gunrunners and logistics suppliers were arrested.

It stated, “In another operation in Kaduna State, troops have arrested 4 terrorist gunrunners and logistic suppliers at Rijana village in Chikun Local Government Area.

“Troops recovered 30 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition and 3 mobile phones from the suspects. The troops also found N100,000 worth of recharge cards and the sum of N1,532,900 on the suspects.

“In a separate operation, troops deployed in Plateau State have apprehended three wanted kidnap suspects at Kabong community in Jos South Local Government Area. The troops recovered one fabricated pistol and a cartridge from the suspects.”

In the South-South, the army said its troops conducted operations that led to the killing of a notorious kidnapper in Edo State.

“In another sting operation, vigilant troops deployed in the Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State neutralised a notorious kidnapper belonging to a syndicate that has been terrorising commuters around Ubia community.

“The troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one semi-automatic pump-action gun, and 18 live cartridges,” the post read.

Meanwhile, suspected bandits, in the early hours of yesterday, killed one police officer, Inspector Eze and one other local vigilante officer in Sokoto State.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Rufai, said bandits ambushed the officers at the checkpoint.

“They ambushed them at the checkpoint at Milgoma Junction along Sokoto-Bodinga road and shot them at close range.

“One policeman, Inspector Eze, was killed while another local vigilante also died in the process,” he added.

The police image maker, however, confirmed the killing of bandits along the Sokoto-Isa road.

He said in the shootout which happened on Sunday evening, one AK-49 rifle was retrieved from the bandits.