Operatives of the Nigerian Police Force have arrested an officer of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, with several arms and ammunition in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
The officer, whose identity is yet to be released by the police, is believed to be ferrying the weapons to suspected terrorists or hoodlums operating in the area.
Sources from the Force headquarters in Abuja revealed to our reporter that automatic weapons and high-calibre rifles and pistols were among the weapons recovered from the suspect.
“He was arrested with four AK-47 magazines; four magazines of CZ Scorpion rifle; two CZ Scorpion rifles, 139mm ammunition and two Diakon and CZ pistols,” said a source.
“He could not provide any cogent reason on the source of the weapons or where he was taking them to when he faced the arresting officers,” one source said.
The arrest of the male suspect had led to the rumour that he was on a mission to deliver the weapons to hoodlums and terrorists who have made the FCT and other parts of the country highly unsafe for law-abiding citizens.
Prominent Nigerians, including serving and retired military officers have expressed concerns about the role of military personnel in growing insecurity across the country.
FCT Commissioner of Police (CP) Olatunji Disu confirmed the arrest of the suspect, according to a report by The Nation newspaper.
He said the suspect was being interrogated, adding that further details would be provided later.
“They have just brought the suspect before me and he is being questioned. That’s all I can confirm at the moment,” he said.
