The arrests and seizures were made at the NDLEA checkpoints in the two states where narcotic officers stop and search vehicles for illicit drugs.
Three armed bandits on an attack mission in Katsina State have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The suspects: Adamu Shehu, Tukur Mohammed, and Ibrahim Suleiman were reportedly in possession of three AK-47 rifles and other dangerous items.
The NDLEA officials also arrested an alleged manufacturer of heavy weapons, Celestine Chidiebere Christian, with a high calibre G3 rifle, seventy-eight (78) rounds of life ammunition (RLA) of 7.62mm calibre, and five empty shells.
The suspect was arrested in Benue while trying to move the heavy weapon and ammunition to Jos, Plateau State.
The arrests and seizures were made at the NDLEA checkpoints in the two states where narcotic officers stop and search vehicles for illicit drugs.
Speaking while handing over the high calibre G3 rifle and the suspects to the anti-narcotics body in Abuja, the agency's Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa said NDLEA will sustain its support for other security agencies to ensure law and order in the country.
“For us at NDLEA, we’ll continue to do our best with our highly dedicated officers and men to cut off accessibility to illicit drugs by criminal gangs by blocking the trafficking of these psychoactive and psychotropic substances.
”In doing this, we’ll not shy away from complementing the efforts of other security agencies, especially our armed forces in our collective bid to restore security and maintain law and order in all parts of the country.
”The three armed bandits were arrested by our officers on patrol in Malumfashi LGA of Katsina on Thursday, 5th August, on their way from Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state to Kankara Local Government Area in Katsina for another devilish mission. A Toyota Corolla car with registration number - Kaduna TRK 149 AE, three AK-47 rifles with magazines and ammunition, different types of charms, rings, cash, and other items were recovered from them,” he said.
He said he had directed that the three suspects be handed over to the Army Brigade in Katsina for further investigation.