A 27-year-old man, Joseph Babari, has been arrested by the Gombe State Police Command for unlawful possession of a locally fabricated automatic rifle and eight live rounds of ammunition.
Babari, a resident of Bambur Darufa Ward, Karim Lamido LGA, Taraba State, was apprehended on April 30, 2025, while travelling from Maikatako, Bokos LGA of Plateau State.
According to a press statement signed on Saturday by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Buhari Abdullahi, Babari confessed to being contracted as a fighter for one Isah at a rate of ₦180,000 to operate in Bokos LGA for two months.
The statement partly read, “On the 30th of April, 2025, at about 2330hrs, a Police Patrol team attached to Pero-Chonge Division Shangom LGA while on stop and search along the border between Gombe State and Taraba state successfully apprehended Joseph Babari and was found in unlawful possession of a locally fabricated automatic rifle, eight live rounds of ammunition, locally made black vest and bunch of charms.”
Continuing Abdullahi noted that during preliminary interrogation, the suspect disclosed that he was travelling from Maikatako, Bokos LGA of Plateau State, with the intention of reaching Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State. “However, Further investigation revealed that the suspect had been contracted as a fighter at the rate of N180,000 to operate in Bokos LGA for a duration of two months by one Isah whose surname remains unknown.The suspect is currently in police custody along with the recovered exhibits. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the source and intended use of the weapon.”
The police urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest security agency. “We remain committed to maintaining peace, preventing the proliferation of illegal firearms, and ensuring the safety of all residents,” the statement said.
