Police recover firearms in Tanzania's coastal region
Xinhua, February 18, 2015 Adjust font size:
Police in Tanzania's coastal region of Tanga said on Tuesday they have recovered a sub-machine gun and 20 rounds of ammunition that were stolen from police officers on patrol in January 2015.
Paul Chagonja, the Tanzania police force director of operations and training, said the firearms were recovered during a special operation to flush out gangsters.
He said the firearms were found hidden in the Amboni Caves following a shoot-out between security officers and the gangers who had the hallmarks of terrorists.
A soldier with the Tanzania People's Defence Forces (TPDF) was killed and five others, including a police officer, were injured during an exchange of fire between security personnel and the gangsters on last Saturday at the Amboni Caves, eight kilometers from the coastal Tanga city.
"We have recovered one sub-machine gun, 20 rounds of ammunitions and we are holding scores of suspects in connection with the theft of the firearms," Chagonja told a news conference.
The recovery of the firearms was a relief to Tanga residents who have been living under security scare.
On Jan. 26, police officers on patrol were ambushed in the Tanga city by unidentified gangsters and two sub-machine guns were stolen from the officers.
"We are still looking for the other sub-machine gun," said Chagonja. Endi