The Nasarawa state police command says its officers have arrested a 21-year-old woman suspected of trafficking arms to terrorist groups.
The suspect, identified as Fatima Salisu and a native of Funtua in Katsina state, was reportedly transporting a large cache of live ammunition through Keana and Doma LGA of Nasarawa state when she was intercepted.
A statement by Ramhan Nansel, spokesperson for the command, claimed that the suspect was en route to deliver the consignment to criminal elements in Katsina.
He said the operation was initiated following credible intelligence reports indicating suspicious movement of arms through the state.
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“Acting swiftly on the intelligence tip-off, Shetima J. Mohammed, commissioner of police, ordered the immediate deployment of the command’s anti-kidnapping unit,” the statement reads.
“The operation led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of 400 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and 81 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
“The suspect is in custody and undergoing interrogation as investigators work to dismantle the arms trafficking network and trace its connections to armed banditry and terrorism.”
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The command described the arrest as a significant step in the ongoing fight against illegal arms proliferation and crime in the region.
The police called on the public to continue providing security agencies with timely and credible information that will help reduce crime in the state.
