Police recover 56 rifles, 300 live ammunition in Taraba

The police in Taraba State on Friday said they have so far recovered 56 rifles and 300 live ammunition following the directive by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, that all prohibited  fire arms be mopped up.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Akinremi, disclosed this while parading some suspects at the command headquarters in Jalingo.

Akinremi told journalists that the command upon receipt of the IGP’s directive constituted a task force headed by DCP Operations, Faleye Olaleye, whose action led to the arrest and recovery of the arms and ammunition.

“A good number of people responded and surrendered their weapons. However, some criminally minded persons are still holding back their arms after the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum for people to surrender their weapons.

“Following intensive surveillance, our men arrested a Fulani man Umar Abu from Karim Lamido Local Government with one AK47 rifle with 9 ammunition.

“Other weapons recovered from others include; 1 G3 rifle, 2 K2 rifles, 3 LAR riffles, 2 Pump Action rifles, 2 Double Barrel rifles, 13 Single Barrel rifles, 28 locally made Pistols and 300 live ammunition,” he said.

The commissioner said the task force acting on intelligence raided a criminal hide out along Maimolo -Yerima road in Bali LGA and arrested six suspects believed to be criminals terrorising the area.

Akinremi explained that the mop up was still ongoing and would continue until all illegally acquired fire arms from the hands of individuals were recovered.