Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested two suspects in possession of a fabricated AK-47 rifle and ammunition at Boto Market in Tafawa Balewa local government area of the state.
The suspects are Abdulgafar Mohammed, a 18-year-old man and 25-year-old Yusuf Isa, both from Barkin Ladi in Plateau State.
Police preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects who traveled from Plateau State to Boto Market, negotiated the sale of the rifle for N580,000.
A statement by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil on Thursday, said the arrest is in police’s efforts to combat the proliferation of small and light arms within the state.
Wakil added that a discreet investigation is ongoing, after which the suspect will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Musa Mohammad said the Command has escalated efforts to locate and apprehend the manufacturers of such weapons, irrespective of their location.
CP Auwal assured the public of police dedication to eliminating illegal firearms in the state.
He urged the citizens to understand that “mankind must put an end to organised crime, or organised crime will put an end to mankind”, stressing, “let us as citizens always keep a finger on the escape key to survive”.