The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old suspected gun-runner after recovering two AK-47 rifles, three magazines and 42 rounds of live ammunition from a commercial vehicle in Ilorin.

The suspect, identified as Umaru M., was arrested during a stop-and-search operation conducted by police operatives along the Alapa–Okolowo axis of the state capital.

The command said the firearms and ammunition were discovered inside a bag found in the vehicle.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the suspect initially denied ownership of the bag containing the weapons.

The police spokesperson, however, said further investigation led to Umaru allegedly admitting that he was conveying the firearms and ammunition.

According to the command, the suspect also provided information linking the recovered weapons to another suspected member of a gun-running network identified as Dan Yarubawa.

“Dan Yarubawa allegedly gave him the firearms for onward delivery to another individual, Dahiru, outside Kwara State,” the statement said.

The police said efforts had been intensified to arrest the other individuals allegedly connected to the investigation.

The command added that the investigation was also aimed at establishing the full extent of the suspected gun-running network.

The recovery came amid the police command’s stated emphasis on intelligence-led and proactive operations to prevent criminal activities in the state.

Reacting to the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, said the command remained committed to protecting lives and property across Kwara.

Adekimi urged residents to provide the police with timely and credible information to assist security operations.

He assured the public that the command would sustain its vigilance and operations to identify and disrupt threats to public safety in the state.