Ethiopia police intercept 919 illegal hand guns being smuggled to the capital city

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopian police on Wednesday intercepted 919 illegal hand guns in the capital city Addis Ababa.

In a press statement, Yeka district communications office in Addis Ababa, said the hand guns were intercepted by Addis Ababa police officers as they were about to be smuggled into the city hidden inside a freight truck.

The statement further said the driver of the freight truck has been apprehended pending investigation into the origins of the illegal hand guns and their intended final destinations.

Ethiopia strictly controls licensing and movement of arms across the country and private arms ownership is relatively rare in the East African country.

Violent crimes are relatively rare in Ethiopia, but recent incidences of armed robberies in major cities and sporadic ethnic and religious unrest have led to a spike in demand of illicit arms ownership.

Ownership of arms is also seen as a sign of prestige and security in parts of Ethiopia, which has seen a history of rebellion and conflict.