Enugu Police Nab 4 Over Illegal Arms

Four accused persons were last  Saturday handed over to the Enugu State Police command for proper investigation and possible prosecution over their alleged involvement in illegal importation of arms and ammunitions into the country.

Handing over the suspects before newsmen at the Police Headquarters, Enugu, the chairman, National Task Force To Combat Illegal Importation of Goods, Small Arms Ammunitions and Light Weapons, retired Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, stated that the accused , include two drivers , Nwoko Patrick, 55, from Imo State and Kevin Ezeja 45, from Enugu State.

Others are two co- owners of the illegal ammunitions, Alfa James and Alhaji Inua A.

Okiro said his men  intercepted the four along Enugu-Benue State road with over I, 929 live cartridges, illegally imported into the country.

According to him, the original owner of the illegal consignment, brought into the country in a container, is based in Onitsha, Anambra State.

He expressed regret  that before men of the task force could trace the man from Benue State to his base in Onitsha, the man had gotten the hint of the arrest of the four accused persons and escaped before the arrival of men of the task force.

Assuring that the task force will leave no stone unturned in ridding the country of illegal importers of arms and ammunitions, Mr Okiro warned those involved in such illegal deal to desist or be ready to face the consequences of their unpatriotic act.

He used the occasion to express concern over the high rate of robbery, kidnapping, murder, and acts of terrorism in the country, adding that men of the task force have been fully mobilised with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book to serve as a deterrent to others.

Okiro also called on members of the public to cooperate with men of the task force with a view to making the country free from illegal arms and ammunitions, saying that matters of security of lives and property should not be seen as the sole responsibility of security operatives in the country.