Police in Nigeria’s Ogun state have arrested two men over alleged unlawful possession of a firearm.
Police said on Sunday that the suspects, identified as Adeola Mathew, 47, and Rasheed Omoniyi, 48, were arrested in Ifo area of the state following what police described as an intelligence-led operation.
Police spokesperson Oluseyi Babaseyi said detectives from the Ifo Division raided a hideout on Ibogun Road in the NITEL area of Ifo at about 6:30 a.m. on May 9.
According to Babaseyi, Mathew was arrested at the scene, while a search of the premises led to the recovery of a locally made pistol concealed within the building.
He said preliminary investigations showed that the firearm was allegedly handed to Mathew by Omoniyi, who was later tracked down and arrested.
“The recovered locally made pistol has been secured as exhibit, while investigation is ongoing to ascertain the source of the firearm and the suspects’ possible involvement in other criminal activities,” Babaseyi said.
He added that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation and prosecution.
Ogun State Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni commended the officers involved in the operation and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to residents’ safety.