Amao, the firearms supplier at police command Olatunji, led the police to arrest Amao
A suspected cross-border gun runner, Abdulazeez Amao, 47,
has allegedly confessed to the police how he supplies guns and ammunition to
armed robbers.
Amao was arrested in his house at Ayegun Adasun in Ibadan,
Oyo State, western Nigeria, after he was implicated by a suspected armed
robber, Olatunbosun Olatunji, 48, who alleged that Amao supplies him guns for
operations.
Oyo State, western Nigeria, after he was implicated by a suspected armed
robber, Olatunbosun Olatunji, 48, who alleged that Amao supplies him guns for
operations.
Items recovered in Amao’s house include 10 AK47 rifles and
19 magazines all loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition.
19 magazines all loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition.
The two suspects were paraded on Tuesday by the Lagos State
Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko at the command headquarters in Ikeja,
Lagos.
Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko at the command headquarters in Ikeja,
Lagos.
While making his confession, Amao denied that he was
involved in armed robbery, admitting that he was only a businessman that deals
in arms which he buys from his customer known as Zakari Watara in Burkina Faso.
involved in armed robbery, admitting that he was only a businessman that deals
in arms which he buys from his customer known as Zakari Watara in Burkina Faso.
He revealed that their network cuts across three countries-
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic, while Nigeria is the destination for the
weapons.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic, while Nigeria is the destination for the
weapons.
Amao revealed that he smuggles the weapons into the country
by packing them inside milk cartons and transporting them to Paraku town in
Benin Republic.
by packing them inside milk cartons and transporting them to Paraku town in
Benin Republic.
He said he repackages the rifles in Benin Republic and hides
them inside sacks containing yam flour (Elubo) and then transports them to
Ibadan, Oyo State capital, through Kabo border.
them inside sacks containing yam flour (Elubo) and then transports them to
Ibadan, Oyo State capital, through Kabo border.
Amao said he has many clients but his biggest customers are
robbers who make him good offers, disclosing that most of his customers are
from Onitsha in Anambra State, eastern Nigeria.
robbers who make him good offers, disclosing that most of his customers are
from Onitsha in Anambra State, eastern Nigeria.
He admitted that he had supplied various guns such as AK47
rifles, and English made pistols and bullets to his clients.
rifles, and English made pistols and bullets to his clients.
Amao revealed that he also services the weapons when they
develop fault if the owners return them for such purposes.
develop fault if the owners return them for such purposes.
He, however, noted that none of his customers have ever
introduced themselves as robbers to him but he knew some were criminals.
introduced themselves as robbers to him but he knew some were criminals.
“They cannot come to me and tell me I am a robber and I will
sell gun to them. But as an adult, such demand for arms might be for robbery or
to cause violence in the society.”
sell gun to them. But as an adult, such demand for arms might be for robbery or
to cause violence in the society.”
While parading the suspects, Manko explained that Amao was
arrested by the men of the State
Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, following the arrest Olatunji at Suberu area of
Ikorodu, Lagos.
arrested by the men of the State
Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, following the arrest Olatunji at Suberu area of
Ikorodu, Lagos.
According to him, Olatunji confessed that Amao supplies gun
to his gang and sells them for N320,000 each.
to his gang and sells them for N320,000 each.
Manko said following the confession, SARS decoy team was
deployed to Ibadan and after eight days
of intensive investigation, Amao was arrested in his house where some arms
were recovered.
deployed to Ibadan and after eight days
of intensive investigation, Amao was arrested in his house where some arms
were recovered.
The police said the
suspects will be charged to court after investigation.
suspects will be charged to court after investigation.
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