The Katsina State Police Command has detained two suspected gunrunners found in possession of a machine gun and more than 1,200 rounds of live ammunition.
Police spokesman Aliyu Abubakar Sadiq confirmed the arrest in a statement on Monday, explaining that operatives on patrol intercepted a blue Volkswagen Golf with registration number RSH 528 BV along Karkarku Road in Ingawa Local Government Area.
The vehicle was carrying two young men identified as 28-year-old Abdulsalam Muhammad and 23-year-old Aminu Mamman, both residents of Baure town in Safana Local Government Area.
Mr Sadiq said a search of the car uncovered one machine gun and exactly 1,295 rounds of live ammunition. He noted that the suspects were travelling from Hadejia in Jigawa State to Katsina when they were intercepted.
He added that the police are appealing to residents to continue providing support to security agencies through prayers and the sharing of useful information to help tackle insecurity across the state.
Authorities have assured the public that investigations into the source and intended destination of the weapons are ongoing.