AK 47 ammunition recovered, suspect nabbed in West Pokot

Kapenguria, Friday, May 26, 2023

by Anthony Melly / Maurice Osore

A 20-year-old man was arrested in possession of 200 rounds of AK-47 ammunition at the Amakuriat Trading Center in Pokot North.

The suspect had arrived and was ready to sell the ammunition to his customers, when he was nabbed as the police laid a trap, pretending to be the buyers.

According to West Pokot County Police Commander (CPC), Mr. Peter Kattam, the suspect was an illicit trader of ammunition, and he is believed to be selling them to bandits.

Confirming the incident, Kattam said the suspect, Pius Lorupemoi, was arrested Wednesday and is in police custody as investigations continue.

"I want to confirm that this person is in custody and is helping us with investigations. We want to know: where does he get the ammunition? Who does he deal with? Who sells the ammunition to him and who does he sell the ammunition to?" the Commander insisted.

He also reiterated that the beneficiaries of this illegal business are the armed people who are within the County, engaging in banditry activities with a constant supply of ammunition. 

"We have been wondering where bandits get firearms for a long time," Mr. Kattam said.

The County Police Commander warned members of the public against owning fire arms illegally because it causes more harm in the community.

"When a person has a firearm, the next person is not safe. The other day in Cheptule, one young man killed his father and killed himself, using an illegal firearm,” Kattam explained.

He lauded the members of public for volunteering information about such illegal businesses.

Kattam reiterated that police will do all they can in recovering all the illicit firearms and ammunition, that are in the wrong hands.

The police boss thanked members of the public who alerted the police about the suspect and his illicit trade.

Courtesy ; K. N. A