From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
Operatives of the Operation Puff Adder, a tactical team of the Bayelsa State Police Command have recovered two stolen rifles belonging to officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state.
The missing rifles, according to Police authorities, were stolen from the NSCDC officers during the guard duty at the Airtel office by Bay bridge area of Bayelsa State.
Those arrested over the alleged theft of the missing rifles include Tijani Nuhu,23 years from Kaduna State, Bello Mohammed, 27 years from Zanfara State, Ebi Ogbe Collins, 26 years from Southern Ijaw in Bayelsa State, Happy Friday, 25 years from Esan South East of Edo State and Godspower James, 37 years from Alaebiri in Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State.
It was gathered that the alleged thieves, scaled the fence into the duty post of the NSCDC officers, while they were busy ensuring orderliness at the busy Airtel office.
Our correspondent gathered that while the NSCDC authorities were searching for the missing rifles, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu gave a marching order to the Operatives of the Operation Puff Adder to search and ensure the riffle are recovered.
Investigations, according to Police authorities, showed that the rifles were stolen by one Tijani Nuhu, a 23 years old man, from Kaduna State,who scaled the fence of the Airtel office in Kpansia and hid them in a dustbin at Yenezue-Epie.
Tijani Nuhu allegedly contacted one Happy Friday from Esan-West local Government area of Edo State, to search for buyer. But Friday went behind and stole the rifle where it was kept.
According to report, ” Friday later contacted one Earnest Lagos alias Five Stars, who is based in Lagos for the sale of the rifles.”
Unknown to them, the Operatives of the Operation Puff Adder, have mounted search and reactivate intelligence within the state capital, leading to some arrests.
The Vigilante groups contacted over the search however got wind of the alleged attempts by Tijani Nuhu and others to sell the rifles for the sum of N40,000 and N200,000 to some persons.
Members of the Yenezue-gene Vigilante group move into the area searching for the guns but could not locate it and descended one the accused with beating.
But the operatives of the Operation Puff Adder, after detailed interrogation and investigations , recovered the rifles.
In a chat with our correspondent on Friday at the Police headquarters, Police Commissioner,Francis Idu confirmed the development.
