Police nab 21-year-old female arms runner with 482 rounds of ammunition in Nasarawa

The police in Nasarawa State has arrested a 21-year old suspected arms runner, Fatima Salisu, with 481 rounds of ammunition.

Fatima, an indigene of Funtua in Katsina State, had travelled through Keana and Doma Local Government Areas en route Katsina to deliver the consignment, but luck ran out on her when the vehicle she was traveling in was intercepted by security operatives acting on intelligence.

Fatima Salisu who was intercepted at Azuba area of Lafia was found with 400 pounds of 7.62×39mm ammunition and 81 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.

The 21-year Fatima is currently held in police custody and now helping police investigators to trace members of her arms trafficking network linked to banditry and terrorism, police said.

In a press statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nasarawa State command, Ramhan Nansel, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said that the arrest of Fatima Salisu marked a significant win in the ongoing fight against illegal arms proliferation and criminality in the region.

The statement restated the resolve of the police in riding the state of criminal elements, calling on members of the public to continue to support the police with timely and credible information.

“In a bold and precise security operation, operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command have arrested a 21-year-old female suspected arms trafficker in a mission that cut across key local government areas.

“The operation was launched following credible intelligence, the suspect, Fatima Salisu, a native of Funtua town in Katsina State, was intercepted at a Azuba area of Lafia while allegedly transporting a deadly haul of ammunition through Keana and Doma LGAs, en route to deliver the consignment to criminal elements in Katsina.

“Acting swiftly on the intelligence tip-off, Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima J. Mohammed, ordered the immediate deployment of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit. The team acted with precision, leading to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of 400 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and 81 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.

“The suspect is now in custody and undergoing rigorous interrogation as investigators work to dismantle the arms trafficking network and trace its possible links to armed banditry and terrorism.

“This arrest marks a significant win in the ongoing fight against illegal arms proliferation and criminality in the region,” Police said.