Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have shot two suspected gunrunners and arrested two others during an operation along the Bekwarra-Ogoja axis in the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State.

The suspects were reportedly trailed from northern Nigeria through Benue State to Cross River State over allegations that they were transporting illegal firearms.

Two of the suspects were shot while allegedly attempting to escape arrest, while the remaining two were apprehended by the security operatives.

The operation was conducted to intercept the suspected illegal movement of firearms into Cross River State.

Reacting to the development, Governor Bassey Otu, represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Odey, vowed that his administration would take firm action against anyone involved in the illegal transportation of arms into the state.

Odey made the remarks while the suspects were being paraded and the recovered weapons displayed. He cautioned against attempts to turn Cross River into a centre of violence, stressing that the government would not compromise the peace and security of the state.

He maintained that the safety of residents remained a top priority, insisting that no political ambition, personal interest or struggle for power justified the loss of innocent lives.

According to him, the government would not permit anyone, irrespective of their position, political affiliation or connections, to introduce violence into the state or turn its communities into scenes of bloodshed.

The deputy governor further disclosed that preliminary investigations indicated that the alleged movement of the firearms might be connected to political activities.

He warned that the weapons could potentially be used to intimidate political opponents, threaten communities, disrupt legitimate political engagements and put innocent lives at risk.

Odey added that the suspects would be prosecuted as investigations continued to uncover the origin of the firearms, establish the identities of their alleged sponsors and determine their intended recipients.

Governor Otu, through his deputy, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, declaring that no individual would be exempt from prosecution if found guilty of involvement in the illegal arms trade.