Police operatives attached to the Taraba State Command at the weekend recovered 10 AK47 serviceable rifles, 13 AK47 magazines, 424 live 7.62mm AK47 short ammunition and one G3 live ammunition abandoned by fleeing criminals.
The firearms were said to have been inside box-like load on a motorcycle with two suspected Fulani men who were seen crossing River Benue from Karim Lamido Local Government Area (LGA).
It was gathered that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Lau Division received a tip-off at about 8pm on July 10 about two strange Fulani men on motorcycle crossing the river with box-like load.
Sources told our Correspondent that the DPO mobilised his men and as soon as the suspects saw the police, they took off.
“They were on a Honda motorcycle with registration number GAS527WU. They were pursued by the police but they fled, when they couldn’t run with the load, they abandoned the motorcycle and when it was searched, all those arms and ammunition were found inside.
“Aside the firearms, some personal effects of the suspects were recovered too. Following the recoveries, a signal was sent out to all states to check their records if such rifles with stated breach numbers were reported stolen or missing.
Spokesman for Taraba Command, David Misal, confirmed the incident but added that he did not have much details yet.
He said they were trying to gather more information to that regard and that a release will be issued on Monday.