By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government says security operatives have intercepted a shipment of arms and ammunition allegedly intended for criminal groups and arrested three suspects in a coordinated security operation.In a statement, Commissioner for Information and Communications Kingsley Femi Fanwo said the operation was carried out through collaboration between local security operatives, Hybrid Forces under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army following intelligence reports.
According to Fanwo, intelligence identified a Volkswagen Golf vehicle allegedly being used to transport weapons to criminal elements operating within and around Kogi State. He said security agencies tracked the suspects across state lines with support from security operatives in Sokoto State.
The operation led to the arrest of three suspects in Sokoto State, while investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals linked to the alleged arms trafficking network.Fanwo said security personnel later intercepted the weapons consignment and impounded the vehicle in Kabba, headquarters of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area.
Items recovered, according to the state government, included two AK-47 rifles, several magazines, 67 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two pistols, 12 rounds of pistol ammunition and military uniforms.The government said the operation forms part of broader efforts to prevent criminal groups from regrouping and rearming following recent security operations in the state. Fanwo assured residents that security agencies had intensified surveillance across strategic locations and urged citizens to continue providing credible information to support ongoing security efforts.
