Mamuda concealed the weapons underneath the seat of the motorcycle he was riding to Zamfara State on Wednesday.
Men of the Katsina State Police Command have arrested a 45-year-old man, Sani Mamuda, while on his way to deliver two AK-47 rifles and two magazines loaded with 42 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition to bandits living in a forest in Zamfara.
Mamuda concealed the weapons underneath the seat of the motorcycle he was riding to Zamfara State on Wednesday, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
He was said to be notorious for supplying arms and ammunition to bandits in Katsina and Zamfara states.
While being paraded by the police in Katsina, Mamuda confessed that he was taking the weapons to some bandits in Zamfara State.
He also confessed that he used to make a profit ranging between N50,000 and N80,000 on each rifle sold.
He added, “The urge to make ends meet made me go into the business about two years ago. I only supply weapons to bandits. I have never killed people with these weapons.”
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isa told journalists that the suspect was arrested on Wednesday morning on his way to Zamfara to deliver two AK-47 rifles and two magazines loaded with 42 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition.
“On Dec. 22, 2021, at about 7:30 pm, based on credible intelligence, DPO Kurfi Division and team accosted Mamuda of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State.
“Mamuda, a notorious bandit and arms dealer who specialises in supplying weapons to bandits in the forests of Katsina and Zamfara states, was arrested along Kurfi-Batsari Road while on transit from Katsina State to Zamfara State.
“Other items allegedly found on Mamuda were 12,000 CFR; N49,500; one Tecno handset and two Airtel SIM cards.
“Mamuda confessed to have bought the two rifles at Mashi forest from one Masa’idu and one Abdullahi, who are now at large,” Isa said.
The police spokesman said an investigation had already commenced, and that the suspect would be arraigned before a competent court after its completion.