The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Bauchi State Command has intercepted 1,360 rounds of live ammunition of 7.6mm caliber during a motorised patrol the along Bauchi-Jos road.
Jonah Achema, head, public affairs unit of the NDLEA said on Wednesday that the ammunition was being conveyed to Jos, Plateau State by a commercial Vectra Car which had seven passengers, adding that one AK 47 magazine was also found in the vehicle.
“Upon interrogation, two of the passengers admitted ownership of the ammunition and magazine which they neatly concealed in two sacks and kept in the boot of the vehicle.
“They were transporting the consignments from Numan in Adamawa State to certain buyers in Plateau State. The suspects have been unable to produce any official permit for the items.
“The two suspects confessed that they have been into the business of illegal arms dealing for a period of time,’’ he said.
Achema said the suspects confirmed that each of the ammunition was to be sold for ₦500 only.
One of the suspect confessed that selling ammunition was their business. According to the suspect, “things are hard in this country and we need to sell these items in order to put food on the table for our families.”
Bauchi State commander of the NDLEA, Segun Kolawole-Oke, said that the suspects and exhibits would be handed over to the police for further investigation.
Achema expressed worry about the origin of the arms and the destination were areas with rampant misuse of weapons, adding that “we therefore cannot take this issue of arms trafficking lightly.”
