Rukwa Regional Police  Commander, SACP Isuto Mantage  named  the  suspects  as  Shija  Tungu (17),  Jisena Mwandu (32), Seni Gambishi (36), Punguja Kamanda  (51)  and  Lutonja Lutaja 'Ndohole' (60),  residents of  Majimoto  and  Ikuba  villages.

According to the RPC,  the  military  weapon, a Sub Machine Gun (SMG) with  serial  number   AR-15-1883-869433 ( made in Belgium)  had 14 rounds of ammunition.  It was seized following  a  special  operation at Mpimbwe  Ward.

He said  the  five  suspects  were  nabbed at Usevya  village  in  the  district   at around  11.00 pm  during   the  operation  jointly  mounted  by  the police   and  wardens   from Katavi  National Park.The  suspects will  be   arraigned  as  soon  as  investigation  into  their  case  is complete.

In  another  development,  Police in Sumbawanga  District  have  arrested  and   charged  three  people  over   various  criminal  activities  including  armed   robbery,  during  a   special   operation   carried out  recently  at   Muze, Ilanga  and  Ilemba  villages  along  the  Lake Rukwa basin.The RPC has identified the trio as Peter Sindani (26), Joshua Mwanakatwe (49) and Kulwa Rashid (25).