The Nigeria Police Force has recorded significant breakthroughs in its ongoing fight against arms trafficking and banditry across the country, with the arrest of nine suspected gunrunners and the recovery of several dangerous weapons in a series of coordinated operations.
This was disclosed on Thursday, October 23, 2025, during a press briefing by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, anipr, mipra, at the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) Headquarters in Guzape, Abuja.
According to Hundeyin, the operations, conducted over the last month by operatives of the FID-IRT, led to the recovery of 7 AK-47 rifles, 2 AK-49 rifles, 5 pump-action rifles, 15 magazines, a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, a locally made short rifle and pistol, an axe, 6 machetes, 615 rounds of live ammunition, and 14 expended cartridges.
Highlighting key cases, the Force Spokesman said nine suspects were arrested, and several weapons recovered, including 2 AK-47 rifles, 2 AK-49 rifles, one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, and 51 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres.
Major Arrests
1. Four-Man Gunrunning Syndicate Nabbed in Nasarawa, Plateau
Operatives arrested Bello Lado (40), Jafar Adam (25), Adamu Yusuf a.k.a. Alh. Bete (46), and Yusuf Ibrahim a.k.a. Chairman Doka (52), found in possession of two AK-47 rifles and 21 rounds of live ammunition. Investigations revealed that the suspects had been involved in trading over 4,900 rounds of ammunition since 2022. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.
2. Arms Dealer Arrested in Nasarawa
Following a petition from concerned citizens, Alhaji Bature Manya (46) of Okpatta Village, Doma LGA, was arrested in possession of an AK-49 rifle with magazine.
3. Suspected Supplier to Bandits Caught in Kaduna
Operatives apprehended Yunana Iliya a.k.a. Bado (34) of Kanrafi Village, Kaduna State, believed to have conspired with others in August 2025 to supply arms and ammunition to bandits.
4. Two Notorious Arms Suppliers Held in Taraba
The suspects, Yusuf Musa a.k.a. Dare (37) and Mohammadu Jafaru a.k.a. Mu’a’fe (50), were arrested with an AK-49 rifle and 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. Investigations indicate that their network supplies weapons to criminal gangs across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Benue States.
5. Kidnap Kingpin and Arms Supplier Arrested in Plateau
Alhaji Jibrin Abubakar a.k.a. Alh. Majoye (40) was apprehended in Dogon Ruwan Jahr Village, Plateau State, with a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle. He confessed to being part of an arms supply syndicate operating across the North Central region.
CSP Hundeyin reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to intensifying its intelligence-led operations against arms proliferation, kidnapping, and organized crime, stressing that efforts are ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects and dismantle their networks.
He urged Nigerians to continue providing useful information to assist the police in combating insecurity and maintaining national peace and stability.
