Nigerian police intercept rocket shells, anti-aircraft ammunition in NW Zamfara state

By Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu

KANO, Nigeria (AA) - Nigerian police in the Zamfara state on Sunday said its tactical operatives have intercepted rocket shells, anti-aircraft ammunition, and explosives.

Police spokesman Muhammad Shehu told Anadolu Agency that the gunrunners in Saturday's incident are suspected to be behind all the recovered weapons, including three live shells for rocket-propelled grenades, three explosive shells, 151 rounds of live ammunition for AK 47 rifles, and 200 rounds of live ammunition for anti-aircraft.

Shehu said two of the gunrunners were killed, adding: "I can confirm to you that it is gunrunners who supplied ammunition and other sophisticated weapons to bandits inside the bush. We intercepted them and made a serious recovery."

He said: "On 7th January 2023, Police Tactical Operatives have successfully killed two gunrunners along Gummi – Anka Road following an extensive gun duel that lasted for several hours between the police and the gunrunners, while conveying sophisticated arms and ammunition to terrorists' camp in Zamfara from Taraba state."

According to the spokesman, the gunrunners came from the northeastern Taraba state and supplied ammunition to the bandits when the tactical operatives engaged them.

Shehu also noted that the success was achieved following a tip-off received about the movement of the suspects inside a vehicle containing the arms and ammunition from the Taraba state en-route to a terrorist camp in Zamfara.

Two of the suspects were fatally injured, while others escaped and ran into the bushes with possible gunshot wounds, he said.

"The injured suspects were taken to Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital Gusau, and later confirmed dead by the doctor."

Shehu disclosed that a spot search by the operatives led to the recovery of the weaponry.

He added that additional joint operatives were deployed to the location for rigorous confidence-building patrol aimed at apprehending the fleeing suspects.