The Department of State Services (DSS) has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity following the arrest of a suspected arms courier allegedly transporting weapons to a notorious bandit leader operating in Zamfara State.
According to an operational report, the suspect was apprehended in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State after intelligence-led surveillance uncovered a plot to move a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari in Jigawa State to Funtua, Katsina State, for onward delivery to criminal elements.
Security operatives recovered three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines from the suspect.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had been contracted to transport the weapons and was promised a payment of N450,000 upon successful delivery. Authorities believe the recovered arms were intended for a bandit kingpin operating in parts of Zamfara State.
The DSS said investigations are ongoing to uncover the wider network behind the illegal arms movement and identify other collaborators involved in the operation.
The arrest is being viewed as a significant success in ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle logistics and supply chains sustaining banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes across Nigeria’s North-West region.
The suspect remains in custody and is expected to face further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with the law.
