A 23-year-old 300-level student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Atim Emmanuel, has been arrested by the State Police Command for alleged possession of firearms and cartridges.

The development, which is coming barely two weeks after a 500-level student of the same university, the late Joseph Agabaidu, was killed by yet-to-be-arrested assailants, is part of the efforts of the Command to mop up criminal elements around the students’ communities across the state.

According to the Command PPRO, SP Ahmed Wakili, the 23-year-old student was arrested on the 11th of December, 2023, with a locally made revolver pistol and a cartridge while coming out of the university campus.

The PPRO stated in a press statement on Friday that during interrogation, the suspect confessed that he got the firearm from one Zadog, who leased it to him for two academic semesters at the rate of N12, 000.00.

He further stated that he acquired the firearm for his protection and security from criminals when attacked.

Ahmed Wakili added that the CP, Auwal Mohammed Musa, has directed that the suspect be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a discreet investigation to unravel more circumstances behind his motives for acquiring the firearm and to determine whether he has killed anyone with it, after which he will be charged to court upon completion of the discreet investigation.

“Finally, the command calls on parents, guardians, and leaders wielding various degrees of influence to prevail on their children and wards to guide against being used as cannon fodders in disrupting the relative peace and tranquilly enjoyed in the state,” the PPRO stressed.(Courtesy, excluding headline, Nigerian Tribune)