The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two suspected gunrunners in Katsina State and recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, alongside more than 1,200 rounds of live ammunition.

Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, recounting that a police patrol team intercepted the suspects, 25-year-old Abdussalam Muhammed, and 23-year-old Aminu Mamman, at about 4:35 a.m. on Monday along the Ingawa–Karkarku village road.

The suspects, both residents of Baure in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina, were arrested while transporting the arms in a blue Volkswagen Golf car with registration number RSH-528 BV.

Adejobi said the exhibits recovered from the vehicle included one machine gun and ammunitions.

“Upon searching their operational vehicle, a blue-colored Volkswagen Golf with Reg No RSH-528 BV, the following exhibits were found concealed inside the vehicle; One (1) General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 1,063 rounds of 7.62x39mm AK-47 ammunition, and 232 rounds of 7.62x69mm PKT ammunition,” he said.

The spokesperson stated that the suspects have been detained as preliminary investigation revealed that the weapons were moved from Hadejia in Jigawa State to Safana, Katsina State, allegedly for delivery to criminal groups.

“The suspects are currently in custody, and an in-depth investigation is ongoing to uncover the source, destination network, and possible affiliations of the recovered arms,” the statement partly read.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the officers for what he described as a significant breakthrough and urged sustained efforts against organised crime.