By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri
DELTA: The Delta State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on illegal arms trade, leading to the arrest of two suspected gunrunners and the recovery of a significant cache of firearms and ammunition in separate operations along major highways in the state.
Commissioner of Police Olufemi Abaniwonda, who has mandated officers to make the state uninhabitable for criminals, commended his men for their vigilance in intercepting the illicit weapons.
In the first operation on March 3, operatives of Dragon 14 stopped a blue Toyota Camry along the Warri-Benin Road near Western Delta University, Oghara. The vehicle, driven by 55-year-old Peter James from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, raised suspicion due to its unusually modified trunk. A search led to the discovery of three AK-47 rifles, 2,080 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and 1,040 rounds of 51mm ammunition hidden under the back seat. The suspect was immediately arrested, and investigations are ongoing.
Three days later, on March 6, another gun-smuggling attempt was foiled along the Asaba-Benin Expressway near the National Open University, Onicha-Ugbo. Officers from Dragon Patrol Team 02 stopped a navy blue Sharon space bus driven by 69-year-old Yahuza Magaji, accompanied by 17-year-old Abba Sani, both from Lere, Kaduna State. Disguising as traders transporting palm oil and garri, they had concealed seven pump-action guns and 1,600 rounds of live cartridges beneath the back seat. Preliminary investigations revealed they had procured the arms from Onitsha and were transporting them to Kaduna.
CP Abaniwonda praised the officers for their diligence and urged others in the command to remain steadfast in the fight against illegal arms proliferation.
The police command assured the public that efforts to rid the state of criminal elements will continue, with more operations planned to dismantle arms-smuggling networks.