The Nigerian police have arrested a 58-year-old Algerian man for alleged transborder arms trafficking.
Zamfara State Commissioner of Police Mohammed Dalijan told the press on Tuesday that the unnamed foreigner was nabbed at Illela border, a critical crossing point between Nigeria and Niger in Sokoto State. It serves as a hub for legal trade but is also notorious for smuggling and cross-border criminal activities due to its porous nature.
Dalijan said that the Algerian suspect confessed to supplying arms to bandits across Nigeria’s Northwest region for eight years. “At the point of arrest, four AK-47 rifles were recovered from him,” he added.
The Commissioner said the police also arrested other suspects, including suppliers of motorcycles to bandits, and seized live ammunition, ₦2.5 million ($1,487) in cash, and other items.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
