By Abdulfatai Abdulsalami, Sokoto.
The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested a suspected arms dealer, Bello Ibrahim, popularly known as “Bello Currency,” along with four others for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition believed to be linked to terrorism-related activities in the state.
A statement on Friday by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said detectives from the State Intelligence Department apprehended Bello Ibrahim and his alleged accomplices, Muhammad Danlato, Abun Buhari, Faruku Alhaji, and Abubakar Furniture during a coordinated operation in Tambuwal Local Government Area.
According to the statement, the suspects were found in possession of locally fabricated revolvers, four rounds of LAR ammunition, and one round of AK-47 ammunition. Preliminary investigations revealed that Bello Ibrahim had supplied the firearms to the other suspects, who claimed they were intended for self-defense.
“However, none of the weapons were registered, and no legal licenses were obtained, violating the provisions of the Firearms Act,” the statement added.
In a related development, on April 23, 2025, officers from Tureta Police Station intercepted one Yau Lawali, a resident of Yabawa Village in Bakura LGA of Zamfara State, during a routine stop-and-search. He was found in possession of two locally fabricated guns and three rounds of AK-47 ammunition.
Similarly, on April 19, 2025, policemen on duty at Kebbe Police Station arrested three suspects Dan Agaji Bala, Sani Muhammad, and Danjuma all from Dogon Marke Village.
They were found loitering suspiciously around the station and were caught with a locally made revolver and 19 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition.
All suspects according to the police are currently in their custody and will be charged in accordance with Nigerian laws regulating firearm possession and national security.
The Sokoto State Police Command reiterated its commitment to public safety and urged residents to report suspicious activities, emphasizing that taking the law into one’s hands would not be tolerated.
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