By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
No fewer than 15 locally made pistols and 68 live cartridges were recovered from a gunrunner and some suspected armed robbers by police operatives in Lagos, New Nigerian Newspaper has learnt.
Also, one tortoise, other offensive weapons which includecutlasses, axe, charms and four mobile phones, and a female bag were reportedly recovered from the suspects.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that the gun runner, one Joseph Ashiwobel, based in Calabar had mistakenly dispatched a sack containing seven out of the pistols, through a driver to one Aji Augustine of Ibeju Lekki Lagos, with a claim of being food items from the receiver’s mother.
Upon the discovery of the content of the sack to be firearms, Aji was said to have immediately reported the matter to the nearest police station, which necessitated investigation and arrest of the gun runner and other accomplice.
In the case of the robbery suspects identified as Gambo Abdulhadi, 28, Eric Komi, Yusuf Ibrahim, 15 and Suleiman Alhassan, it was learnt that they were arrested in their hideout situated around Ojo area following credible Intelligence.
The Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command Abiodun Alabi confirmed the report to newsmen during a briefing at the weekend.
His words, ” On 23rd of April, 2022, one Aji Augustine ‘m’ of Ibeju Lekki, Lagos went to receive food items sent to him by his mother from Cross River State through a driver who mistakenly gave him a sack that was meant to be delivered to someone else.
” When he opened the sack, he discovered seven (7) locally made pistols. He rushed to the nearest police division and handover the arms. Upon receipt of the case, detectives embarked on diligent investigation that led to the arrest of one Joseph Ashiwobel ‘m’ who dispatched the sack from Calabar to Lagos.
” During interrogation, he confessed that he had sold many guns to his customers here in Lagos and he led operatives to arrest two of his buyers one Rasheed Ogunbade ‘m’ age 39yrs and Aladeokin Ahmad ‘m’ 38yrs.
” Also one locally made shot gun bought from Joseph Ashiwobel was recovered.
” Investigation is still ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects in order to recover more of the guns he had sold to people in Lagos.
” On 10th May, 2022, at about 0915hrs, based on available information, a team of detectives of the Lagos State Command swung into action and arrested some armed robbery suspects in their hideout situated around Ojo area of the State and recovered exhibits in their possession.
” The names of these suspects are Gambo Abdulhadi ‘m’ 28yrs, Eric Komi ‘m’ 19yrs, Yusuf Ibrahim ‘m’ 15yrs and Suleiman Alhassan ‘m’ 25yrs. Seven (7) locally made pistols, Sixty-Eight (68) live cartridges, cutlasses, axe, charms, four (4) mobile phones, tortoise and a female bag were recovered from the suspects.
