The Department of State Services, DSS, has intercepted 10 firearms being brought into Cross River State, South-South Nigeria arresting two suspects after tracking their movement into the state.
The discovery has prompted a stern warning from Governor Bassey Otu to politicians and their sponsors against arming individuals or encouraging violence to advance political interests.
The firearms, comprising three machine guns and seven AK 47 rifles, were intercepted along the Bekwarra-Ogoja area of the State following a tracking operation by the DSS.
The agency says four suspects were trailed from northern Nigeria through Benue State into Cross River State. Two were arrested, while two others reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
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Governor Otu, represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, who visited the State DSS Office to see the suspects and the recovered weapons, warned that Cross River State would not tolerate attempts to use illegal arms to threaten public safety or undermine the political process.
The DSS State Director, Oluwole Faluyi, says the suspects had been under surveillance before operatives tracked them down and recovered the weapons.
For Cross River State, the central concern is not only the recovery of the firearms, but ensuring that those behind their movement are identified and brought to justice before the weapons can be used to threaten lives or fuel political violence.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
