The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested five suspects in connection with the disappearance of two rifles belonging to officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The weapons, which were reported missing from NSCDC personnel stationed at the Airtel office in Yenagoa, were recovered by operatives of Operation Puff Adder, a tactical unit of the state command.
The arrested suspects include Tijani Nuhu (23) from Kaduna State, Bello Mohammed (27) from Zamfara State, Ebi Collins (26) and Godspower James (37), both from Bayelsa, and Happy Friday (25) from Edo State.
According to findings, the state Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, had directed the Puff Adder team to track down those responsible and recover the rifles.
Investigations revealed that Nuhu initially stole the weapons and concealed them in a dustbin at Yenezue-Epie, Yenagoa.
He later reached out to Friday to help find a buyer.
However, Friday allegedly removed the rifles from the hiding spot and attempted to sell them independently through one Ernest Lagos, also known as “Five Stars,” based in Lagos.
Unbeknownst to the suspects, police had intensified surveillance and intelligence efforts across the capital.
Local vigilante groups, alerted during the operation, provided tips about attempts to sell the rifles for between N40,000 and N200,000.
Commissioner Idu confirmed the arrests and recovery on Friday and assured the public that investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the incident.