Operatives of the Kebbi State Police Command have arrested three suspected gunrunners and recovered a fabricated AK-47 rifle along with 737 rounds of live ammunition in separate operations in Bena and Dolekaina areas of the state.
The police said the operations were part of ongoing efforts to curb arms trafficking, banditry, and other violent crimes in the state and the North-West region.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar Kotarkoshi, the first arrest occurred on October 30, 2025, at about 1:30 a.m. along the Bena-Ribah road.
During a joint patrol by officers from Bena Division and personnel of the 36 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Birnin Kebbi, the team intercepted two men whose movements raised suspicion.
The suspects were identified as 20-year-old Rabi’u Umar of Karen Bana village, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, and 26-year-old Nasiru Hussaini of Doya village, Bauchi State.
A search conducted on them led to the discovery of one fabricated AK-47 rifle and five rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition in their possession.
In a similar operation on November 3, 2025, at about 12:30 p.m., another team of policemen attached to the Divisional Headquarters in Dolekaina arrested a man found in possession of a large cache of ammunition.
The suspect, identified as Lawwali Ibrahim of Anka town, Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State, was intercepted at Bakin Mashaya area in Dolekaina while acting suspiciously.
Police said the suspect was found with 732 rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition, neatly concealed and ready for onward movement.
During interrogation, Ibrahim reportedly confessed that he smuggled the ammunition into Nigeria from Mokassa town in the Benin Republic and intended to deliver it to Anka town in Zamfara State.
The command said both cases had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Birnin Kebbi for detailed investigation and prosecution.
Commissioner of Police, CP Bello M. Sani, commended the Divisional Police Officers of Bena and Dolekaina for their professionalism, intelligence-led policing, and bravery during the operations.
The CP also reiterated the command’s commitment to sustaining the fight against banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across Kebbi State.
He assured residents that the police would continue to intensify surveillance and patrols to dismantle criminal networks and ensure the safety of lives and property.
CP Sani called on members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to assist the police in their efforts to maintain peace and order.
The Kebbi State Police Command reaffirmed that it remains resolute in its determination to rid the state of criminal elements and restore public confidence in the security system.
