The Police in Sokoto State have recovered 3 AK-47 Rifles, a locally-made gun and “other dangerous weapons” at the surroundings of a political party’s secretariat in Isa local government Area.
The state commissioner of Police, Muhammad Usaini Gumel announced the seizures to newsmen while parading eight suspects for “various crimes” in the state.
Mr Gumel, who did not disclosed the identity of the Political party, said the police “suspected” that the weapons were being stored by thugs ahead of political campaigns, adding that no arrest was made during the operation.
He warned that the police was not ready to “compromise its mandate” of ensuring a peaceful electioneering process, with a view to protecting the lives and property of the public.
He also warned “perpetrators of violence” that the command would not allow “blood-letting during campaigns or elections” in the state.
Radio Nigeria Correspondent in Sokoto reports that the eight suspects arrested by police stand accused of carrying out acts of “banditry, kidnapping and robbery” over the last one month.
Mr Gumel said the arrests and recoveries were made in Gwadabawa, Isa, Wamakko and Sokoto south local government areas.
He hinted that the Command arrested one Abdullahi Bello, who, in collaboration with Ibrahim and Aliyu, all of Tudun Kwangi village, conducted acts of banditry in a community in Gwadabawa local government. The police recovered from him an AK-47 rifle, COP Gumel stated.
In the same vein, one Mohammed Umar of Bado Quarters , Sokoto, who stole a Toyota car and took to flight, was sighted and arrested in Bakori, Katsina state.
The CP also told the reporters that the Command, upon receiving a complaint from one Suleiman Musa that some persons conspired and kidnapped his son for a N4 million ransom, swung into action and subsequently arrested one Haliru Usman with his accomplices, Abdullahi Umar and Farouk Usman, indigenes of Plateau and Sokoto states, respectively.
The suspects have since been arrested and the sum of N2.5 million recovered out of the N4 million paid as ransom by the father of the kidnapped child.
Mr Gumel also disclosed that the prime suspect is a neighbour to the father of the kidnapped child.
He attempted to reassure the public, pointing out that the “recently improved friendly relationship between the Police and the public” enhances peaceful conduct of socio-economic activities within the business circles in Sokoto metropolis and environs .
Reporting by Nasiru Malali; Editing by Abdullahi Lamino and Tony Okerafor