Police Bust North African Arms Smugglers in Oyo …Arrest 38 Suspects, Recover Arms, 6000 Live Ammunition

Malik Yahya/

A total of 6000 AK47 Live ammunition have been recovered by the police in a joint operation that smashed a 4-man international arms-smuggling syndicate importing weapons from North Africa through Saki in Oyo State.

According to Police spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, officers attached to the Intelligence Response Unit (IRT), Special Tactical Squad (STS), Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit and the Special Forces attached to Operation Puff Adder dismantled the 4-man gang on May 25, 2019.

He revealed that the criminal gang was operating between parts of North Africa, the Sahel region and West African Countries.

Mba identified members of the syndicate as Ojoomo Olugbenga, 45, a native of Akure Central, Ondo State; Oladimeji Adeogun, 50, a native of Ido LGA of Oyo State; Habib Musibau, 24, a native of Oluyole LGA of Oyo State and 54-year-old Thomas Olumuyiwa, a native of Ado-Odo Ota LGA of Ogun State.

“They 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,” Mba said.

According to Mba, another set of 24 AK47 rifles, four pump action guns, 11 Dane guns, 10 English Pistols, two single barrel guns, one set of army camouflage uniform and 22 live cartridges were recovered from other criminal gangs in different parts of the country. 

He said, “A total of 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.”

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