ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Federal Police Commission on Friday seized 1,051 illegal handguns when they were being smuggled into the capital Addis Ababa.

According to police, the armaments were intercepted in Addis Ababa in an operation while they were being transported packed inside a petroleum truck.

Police's capture of the handguns on Friday came amid an increase in smuggling and transaction of armaments cases in the east African country. The Ethiopian Federal Police Commission has also recently urged the public to cooperate with security forces so as to intercept illegal armaments.

The Ethiopian Federal Police Commission, however, didn't give more details regarding the smugglers and their intention.

The commission had recently arrested some 18 suspects in connection with smuggling of armaments into the country. Some of the arrested 18 individuals were also said to be involved in illicit foreign currency outflow.