A 62-year-old woman has been arrested by the police in Delta state, South-South Nigeria with 178 live cartridges neatly packed for delivery.
The suspected female cartridge seller, identified as Charter Timide, was apprehended in Tuomo community in Bomadi local government area, during a routine stop and search by operatives attached to the Bomadi area command.
According to the police, the suspect was on a commercial motorcycle when they were stopped.
The cyclist, who appeared to be uneasy, drew the attention of the officers, and a thorough search was carried out, a sack containing over 100 live cartridges neatly packed for delivery was discovered.
When interrogated, the suspect confessed she purchased the cartridges from Onitsha Main Market.
Her confession immediately triggered further intelligence follow up to uncover the destination and purpose of the ammunition.
In the meantime, the suspect and recovered exhibits have been transferred to the state headquarters for discreet investigation to trace links to possible armed groups and black market suppliers.
Reacting to the development, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi in a statement, reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to curbing the menace of illicit arms proliferation in Delta state.
MUST READ: Niger State LG polls: Sensitive materials set ablaze in Nasko
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Police Command say its operatives have neutralised two suspected hoodlums during a raid on their hideout at Iyonu community, in Ishielu LGA.
An official statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, says the operation which was carried out within the Iyonu-Idodo Forest, followed credible intelligence on the activities of the gang terrorising the area.
Ukandu stated that the hoodlums opened fire on sighting the operatives, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire, which resulted in the killing of the two suspects.
The statement added that the following exhibits including one AK-47 rifle, two locally fabricated dane guns, 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and 5 live cartridges were recovered from the scene.
In a related development, operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command foiled a kidnap attempt on the mother of a prominent individual at Isata community, Isu, in Onicha LGA.
Three suspects, namely Monday Okorie (m), Ngwuta Friday (m), and Simon Joshua (m) were arrested with one locally made single-barrel gun while one member of the gang remains at large.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
