The police command in Oyo State has intercepted two suspects alleged to have smuggled 2,625 cartridges from the Republic of Benin into Nigeria.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Ibadan.

Mr Olayinka said credible intelligence led operatives of the Command’s Monitoring Unit, Saki Operation Base, to arrest the two suspects.

He said that investigation by the command revealed that the suspects operated across international borders, smuggling arms and ammunition from the Republic of Benin into Nigeria through unauthorised border routes.

Mr Olayinka said that the suspects, aged 35 years and 33 years, were apprehended at Budo Mosalasi, Saki area of Oyo State.

“Their criminal enterprise involves the clandestine importation and distribution of prohibited ammunition to unauthorised individuals within the country.

“Thses arms and ammunition may ultimately be deployed in the commission of armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.

“Operatives recovered 105 packets of pump-action cartridges concealed in four jerry cans/kegs, with each packet containing 25 cartridges, amounting to a total of 2,625 cartridges,” he said.

Mr Olayinka further said that two unregistered motorcycles used for the illegal transportation and distribution of the ammunition were equally recovered.

He said the suspects are currently assisting investigators in unravelling the wider transnational network and identifying other accomplices involved in the illicit act.

Mr Olayinka quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Femi Haruna, as commending the professionalism and precision of the command’s monitoring team.

Mr Haruna said that that proactive policing and actionable intelligence remained critical tools in dismantling organised criminal networks.

The CP said that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of comprehensive investigation. 

(NAN)