By Sesi Noah Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have dismantled a major gunrunning syndicate operating across the Niger Delta. The sy...
By Sesi Noah
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division have dismantled a major gunrunning syndicate operating across the Niger Delta. The syndicate, notorious for trafficking small arms and light weapons to criminals, was busted in an intelligence-led operation that led to the arrest of 35 suspects.
According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the troops recovered two English pistols, four locally-made pistols, and a double-barrel gun during the operation. He explained that the syndicate had been moving arms discreetly through Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa states.
Some of the key suspects identified include Innocent Emiyemokumo Deidei (also known as Sele Bobo), Godknows Alabor Avor, and Godwin Osik. Danjuma said they were tracked and arrested at different locations through coordinated intelligence. Both the suspects and the recovered weapons have been handed over to the relevant authorities for prosecution.
The operation also targeted oil theft activities in Rivers State. Troops deactivated two illegal refining sites in Degema LGA, seizing about 7,500 litres of stolen crude and refined fuel. In Emohua LGA, another suspect was caught while attempting to bag 1,800 litres of crude.
Similarly, in Abacheke community near the Rivers–Imo border, soldiers discovered 35 sacks containing 1,750 litres of illegally refined fuel, alongside a motorcycle and mobile phone, and arrested one suspect. At Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, troops intercepted a white Mitsubishi Hilux loaded with 12 sacks of stolen fuel, though the driver managed to escape into the bus.
Photo credit: The Nations Newspaper
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