Police operatives under Operation Harmony of the Kwara state Police Command have intercepted 98 rounds of live ammunition concealed in a bag of garri being smuggled into Kwara state from Kogi state.
The ammunition, according to the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, were intercepted along Ajase-Ipo Road when operatives stopped the vehicle on suspicion that it was conveying illegal arms into the state from Kogi.
A search carried out on the vehicle led to the recovery of 98 rounds of live ammunition concealed in a bag of garri.
Addressing journalists in Ilorin Friday, Ojo said the police arrested two suspects, Emmanuel Jerry and Umar Abdulmumeen, in connection with the discovery, while another suspect identified as Abdullahi remains at large.
According to the commissioner, investigations revealed that Abdulmumeen allegedly received N1.3 million to procure the ammunition.
“The suspects in custody are cooperating with ongoing investigations and have provided credible intelligence. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate,” he said.
The CP said the command remains committed to protecting lives and property through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other security agencies.
“Our achievements clearly indicate that criminal elements will find no safe haven in Kwara state, while law-abiding citizens can go about their daily activities without fear,” Adekimi said.
In a separate case, the police arrested two suspects, Lukman Abdul-Salam, also known as Ijaya, and Aliu Ismaila, alias Gambia, over a shop-breaking incident opposite Bovas Filling Station in Odota where goods worth about N2.5 million were stolen.
Although the suspects denied involvement in the theft, they admitted to being members of the Eiye confraternity.
The police recovered an empty AK-47 magazine from their residence, raising suspicion of their involvement in wider criminal activities.
Similarly, two other suspects, Fabiyi Benson and Sodiq Rasheed, were arrested in the Ganmo area of Ilorin following a distress call. A cut-to-size shotgun and a live cartridge were also recovered from them.
In another development, a 29-year-old suspect, Umaru Aliu, was arrested during a routine patrol along Oroago axis with several items, including multiple phone chargers, mobile phones, and a PoS machine.
