The Kaduna State Police Command has apprehended a suspected gunrunner who specializes in selling rifles and ammunition to the state's bandits.

The suspect, Rilwanu Abdullahi, was apprehended by operatives linked to the Zaria command acting on a tip-off, according to the command's spokesperson, ASP Mohammed Jalige.

An AK 47 rifle and 600 7.62 X 39mm live bullets were discovered inside the petrol tank of a Volkswagen with the registration plate AX 973 LGA, according to Jalige, as well as two cars meant to transport weapons to bandits.

On May 17, 2022, operatives of the Kaduna Police Command attached to Zaria Area Command acted on credible intelligence and arrested one Rilwanu Abdullahi "M" of Damari village, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, Kaduna State, with an AK47 rifle and 600 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm live ammunition," according to the statement.

"The aforementioned suspect was noticed acting suspiciously in the Madachi neighborhood of Zaria City, and as the agents approached, the suspect attempted to flee but was pursued and caught." The gun was discovered after a search of the Volkswagen vehicle with the registration number KNC 816 XC.

"Upon further interrogation, the suspect led detectives to another location where an additional Volkswagen car with Reg.No AX 973 LGA was recovered with the said number of live ammunition carefully concealed inside the fuel tank aimed at evading the eagle eyes of security operatives.”

The PPRO noted that despite all odds, the command was not relenting in ensuring that no stone was left unturned in its resolve to reduce crime to the barest minimum.

He said the command is soliciting the support of the general public in the area of information sharing, particularly on the informant to bandits, as that is the root of the bandits’ operations.

If the informants are dislodged, the bandits will be suffocated and lack ground to operate, he added.