Katsina State Police Command has delivered a crushing blow to criminal networks with the interception of a sophisticated arms smuggling operation that could have wreaked havoc across the state.

At approximately 4:35am on Monday, officers from Ingawa Division on patrol along the Ingawa-Karkarku village route intercepted two suspected gun runners attempting to transport a deadly arsenal concealed in a blue Volkswagen Golf (Registration: RSH 528 BY ABJ).

The suspects, identified as Abdulsalam Muhammad (25) and Aminu Mamman (23), both residents of Baure Village in Safana Local Government Area, were arrested with a cache of weapons that included: one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) with breach number Z8826; 1,063 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm AK-47 ammunition, and 232 rounds of 7.62 x 69mm PKT ammunition.

Preliminary investigations by the Police revealed the deadly cargo was being transported from Hadejia in Jigawa State to Safana LGA.

According to Dr Nasir Muazu, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, in a press statement sent to newsmen, “This operation demonstrates Katsina State Government unwavering commitment to disrupting criminal supply chains before they can harm innocent citizens.”

He said that investigations have commenced to uncover the weapons’ ultimate destination, identify other members of the criminal network, and trace the source of the sophisticated arsenal.

The Katsina State Government commends the exceptional vigilance and professionalism of the Police Command and reaffirms its commitment to providing all necessary support to security agencies in their relentless fight against criminality.