Summary: Department of State Services arrests suspected gunrunner, Kelvin Ebikeniye Dugo, with 850 live ammunition rounds in Cross River State. Details of the operation and ongoing crackdown on illegal arms trafficking.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has dealt a significant blow to illegal arms trafficking in the South-South region with the arrest of a suspected gunrunner in Cross River State.
Security operatives apprehended Kelvin Ebikeniye Dugo on Monday at Ivara Esu Estate in Odukpani Local Government Area, where they discovered a staggering 850 rounds of live ammunition in his possession.
Caught Red-Handed
According to reports, the suspect was arrested shortly after receiving the dangerous consignment, suggesting that the DSS had been monitoring his movements. The timing of the arrest indicates strategic intelligence gathering by the security agency.
Security sources revealed that the ammunition was allegedly supplied by another suspected arms dealer, Azenda Barnabas, who goes by the alias “Jagaban.” Barnabas is said to operate from Aliade in Benue State, highlighting the interstate nature of illegal arms trafficking in Nigeria.
Sophisticated Concealment Method
The gunrunners employed a clever concealment strategy to evade detection. The live ammunition was hidden inside food supplies—a tactic commonly used by criminal networks to transport contraband items across state lines.
In addition to the 850 rounds of ammunition, DSS operatives also recovered two empty AK-47 magazines during the operation.
Part of Nationwide Crackdown
The DSS has emphasized that this arrest is not an isolated incident but part of a sustained nationwide campaign to dismantle arms trafficking networks across Nigeria.
“This operation demonstrates our commitment to curbing the spread of illegal weapons and making our communities safer,” a security source stated.
The proliferation of illegal weapons has been linked to various security challenges facing Nigeria, including banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and communal conflicts. By intercepting such large quantities of ammunition, security agencies can potentially prevent numerous violent crimes.
Growing Security Concerns
The Cross River-Benue axis has become a focal point for security operations due to increased criminal activities in recent times. The discovery of this ammunition cache underscores the determination of criminal elements to arm themselves, making the work of security agencies even more critical.
The arrest also raises questions about how such large quantities of ammunition enter circulation and the supply chains that facilitate their movement across states.
As investigations continue, Nigerians will be hoping that the DSS follows through to apprehend other members of the trafficking network, including the alleged supplier, Azenda Barnabas.
The suspect is currently in DSS custody and will likely face prosecution under Nigeria’s firearms laws, which carry severe penalties for illegal possession and trafficking of weapons and ammunition.
This successful operation serves as a reminder that security agencies are intensifying efforts to tackle the weapons proliferation crisis threatening peace and security across the nation.
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