DSS operatives intercept transporter with 3 AK-47 rifles, RPG tubes in Kano

By Bashir Bello

A 30-year-old transporter, Muhammad Abubakar, who was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) with four RPG tubes, three AK-47 and two empty magazines in Kano has confessed that he knew the guns were meant for robbery.

Abubakar made the confession after he was paraded by DSS operatives at the State Command of the Service in Kano on Friday.

DSS said the suspect, a transporter, was arrested while on errand to transport four RPG tubes, three AK-47 and two empty magazines to a destination in Funtua, Katsina State.

“The suspect confessed that he was to be settled, N450,000 upon delivery of the items, before he was arrested.

The Service said Abubakar was arrested in Gezawa Local Government area of Kano State following Intelligence tip off.

The transporter, according to DSS, confessed during interrogation that he collected the items from one Bello in Maigatari border area, in Jigawa state, for onward delivery in the insecurity prone area.

Speaking to journalists, Abubakr, who claimed it was the first time he was transporting such deadly cargoes expressed regret over his action.

He added that one Bello gave him the weapons for transportation to Funtua.

“I hail from Mokwa in Niger State, from where I transport passengers to Kano and return to Abuja or Mokwa.

“Recently, one Bello pressurised me to help him transport some guns from Maigatari.

“I didn’t know him, we only spoke on the phone. That was the first time we met and my first engagement with him.

“Initially, I told him I was not going, but, after one week of mounting pressure on me, I went to him yesterday, and he brought out the guns.

“I was arrested on the way while transporting the guns to Funtua,” the suspect said.

The suspect added that he could not remember the name of the person he was to deliver the guns to, but he was given the person’s telephone number

“I know the guns are meant for robbery, but I was destined to be arrested in this circumstance.

“We agreed he will pay me N450,000 upon delivery,” the suspect said.

DSS said the suspect will be prosecuted, while efforts were ongoing with other sister security agencies to trail his accomplice.

(NAN