Guns in bread back in business as gun running spikes

…As Police launches fresh crackdown

Gun running seems to spike in Rivers State. Hiding guns in big loaves of bread seems back as attraction for gun runners.

According to Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who is the new Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Rivers State, the command has recorded another breakthrough by cracking the gun running rackets.

The statement said the crackdown was in line with the directives of Olugbenga Adepoju, the Commissioner of Police. During a routine check operation along Azikiwe Road by Red Cross Junction, Port Harcourt, the police intercepted vehicles and found a Browning pistol concealed inside a loaf of bread with one Braya Nanas (male), said to be a resident of New Road, Borikiri, Port Harcourt, who was travelling as a passenger in the vehicle.

She said the firearm had no visible serial number, raising concerns about its origin and intended use. The suspect allegedly admitted ownership of the weapon and further stated that he purchased it in Okrika for the sum of N800,000.

The police believe there are other links to this and investigations to track members of his syndicate have begun, just as the CP (Adepoju) has advised members of the public to be wary of suspicious persons, packages, and activities around them.

Meanwhile the Command says it has recorded another major operational success in its relentless campaign against violent crime, with the arrest of a suspected armed robber and the recovery of multiple firearms and live ammunition in a targeted intelligence-led operation.

The police said it arrested one Austine Emenike, popularly known as “Oyibo,” of Aluu Village, Rivers State. “Exhibits recovered include: one locally made pistol, four single-barrel guns, and five live cartridges.

“Preliminary findings revealed that the suspect is linked to a wider criminal network. The Commissioner of Police in the state commended the operatives for their courage, professionalism and commitment to duty. He reaffirmed the Command’s determination to deny criminals any safe haven within the State.”

According to the Commissioner, “This arrest and the recovery of these dangerous weapons underscore our resolve to proactively tackle violent crime and protect the law-abiding people of Rivers State. We will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations until criminal elements are completely rooted out.”

The statement said Adepoju further called on residents to promptly report suspicious persons through emergency numbers including (Complaint Response Unit-CRU): 07057605209 or 07057605256 and some others. The police said if you see something, say something.