The Nigeria Police Force has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing clampdown on illegal arms dealers and criminal networks, arresting nine suspects and recovering a large cache of firearms and ammunition across several states.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, anipr, mipra, disclosed this during a press briefing held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT) Headquarters in Guzape, Abuja.
Hundeyin revealed that within the last month, operatives of the FID–IRT had carried out several coordinated operations targeting gunrunning networks in Nasarawa, Plateau, Taraba, and Kaduna States, among others. The operations, he said, led to the recovery of 7 AK-47 rifles, 2 AK-49 rifles, 5 pump-action rifles, 15 magazines, 615 rounds of live ammunition, and other locally fabricated weapons.
“Today, we are highlighting five major cases that resulted in the arrest of nine suspects and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, two AK-49 rifles, one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, and 51 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres,” he stated.
1. Arrest of Suspected Gunrunners
Following credible intelligence, operatives arrested Bello Lado (a.k.a. Bingel, 40), Jafar Adam (25), Adamu Yusuf (a.k.a. Alh. Bete, 46), and Yusuf Ibrahim (a.k.a. Chairman Doka, 52) in Nasarawa and Plateau States between August 30 and September 9, 2025.
They were found with two AK-47 rifles and 21 rounds of live ammunition. Investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the illegal trade of over 4,900 rounds of ammunition since 2022.
2. Arrest of a Suspected Arms Dealer
In another operation, Alhaji Bature Manya (46) of Okpatta Village, Doma LGA, Nasarawa State, was arrested with one AK-49 rifle and a magazine. His arrest followed a petition from concerned citizens, and investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the weapon.
3. Arrest of a Suspected Arms Supplier
Operatives also apprehended Yunana Iliya (a.k.a. Bado, 34) of Kanrafi Village, Kaduna State, on September 27, 2025, for allegedly conspiring with three others still at large to supply weapons to bandits.
4. Arrest of Two Notorious Arms Suppliers and Kidnappers
The IRT team arrested Yusuf Musa (a.k.a. Dare, 37) and Mohammadu Jafaru (a.k.a. Mu’a’fe, 50) in Taraba State on September 18, 2025, recovering one AK-49 rifle and 30 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Investigations linked the duo to a network supplying weapons to criminal gangs involved in kidnapping, robbery, and cattle rustling across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Benue States.
5. Arrest of a Notorious Arms Supplier and Kidnap Kingpin
On October 6, 2025, the police arrested Alhaji Jibrin Abubakar (a.k.a. Alh. Majoye, 40) at Dogon Ruwan Jahr Village, Plateau State. A locally fabricated AK-47 rifle was recovered from him. Hundeyin said the suspect was a key member of a syndicate operating across Plateau, Bauchi, and Nasarawa States, and that efforts were ongoing to apprehend his accomplices.
Hundeyin reiterated the Inspector-General of Police’s commitment to intensifying intelligence-led operations to curb arms proliferation and dismantle criminal networks across the country.
“The Force will continue to pursue these cases until all those involved in the illegal trade and use of firearms are brought to justice,” Hundeyin assured.
He commended the operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team for their professionalism and dedication and urged citizens to continue providing credible information to security agencies to aid ongoing operations.
