Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended a suspected arms trafficker in Kano State while allegedly transporting weapons intended for a wanted bandit commander operating in Zamfara State.
An operational report obtained in Abuja on Saturday revealed that the suspect was arrested on Friday in Gezawa Local Government Area following intelligence-led surveillance.
According to the report, the suspect was conveying a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State to Funtua in Katsina State, where the weapons were reportedly to be handed over to criminal operatives.
Items recovered from the suspect include three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines.”
The report stated that initial findings connected the weapons shipment to a suspected bandit kingpin active in parts of Zamfara State.
“The suspect confessed that he was contracted to transport the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery.
“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the network behind the arms movement and identify other collaborators involved in the operation,” the report said.
Security authorities described the arrest as a significant success in ongoing efforts to cut off the flow of weapons to criminal groups linked to kidnappings, violent attacks and other security challenges across the North-West region.
The report further disclosed that the suspect remains in DSS custody pending the conclusion of investigations and possible prosecution in line with existing laws.
It added that security agencies were sustaining intelligence-driven operations targeted at dismantling supply chains and support networks used by bandits, terrorists and other organised criminal groups nationwide.
