The Nigeria Police Force in Niger State has recovered three AK-47 rifles and six magazines following a motorcycle crash involving two suspected arms couriers along the Boyi Sarki–Toll Gate axis of the state.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama, a counterinsurgency expert based in LakeChad that the incident occurred at about 9:50 p.m. on Feb. 17 after officers on stop-and-search duty at Gawu Babangida received a distress call about a lone accident near the toll gate.
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“The patrol team stationed at Gawu Babangida got information that two unidentified men riding a motorcycle from the Tafa axis of Kaduna State towards Abuja had been involved in a crash near the toll gate,” a police source said. “Our men, alongside some civilians in the area, rushed to the scene immediately.”
According to the source, a sack recovered from the victims was searched at the scene, leading to the discovery of three AK-47 rifles and six magazines.
“Upon searching the bag found with them, officers recovered three rifles and six magazines. Three of the magazines were fully loaded with 30 rounds each of live ammunition, one magazine contained 14 rounds, while two others were empty,” the source added.
The rifles bore breach numbers 23130, 1963xx7075 and 0514 33504, police said.
One of the suspects reportedly died on the spot from injuries sustained in the crash. However, after the weapons were discovered, some civilians at the scene allegedly descended on the second injured suspect.
“While efforts were being made to move the injured suspect to the hospital, an angry mob attacked him. He was fatally injured before he could receive medical attention,” the source said.
The bodies of the two deceased suspects were later evacuated to the Umar Musa Yar’Adua General Hospital in Sabon Wuse.
Police authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine the identities of the suspects and the source and destination of the recovered arms.
