The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC Imo State Command says it has recovered 34 assorted rifles from a suspected gunrunner in Owerri, the state capital.

The arms are 27 semi-automatic double-barrel guns, 5 pump action guns and 2 sniper rifles.

Briefing newsmen at the Command headquarters in Owerri, the State Commandant of the Corps, Micheal Ogar said his men received intelligence on the hideout where the arms were kept by yet to be identified persons.

Mr Ogar explained that operatives of the command subsequently mounted surveillance to apprehend the owners of the rifles but it yielded no result as those behind it appeared to have abandoned the arms and fled the area.

He noted that investigation was on to apprehend the gunrunners and gave an assurance that the Command would do everything within its means to reduce crime to the barest in the state.