The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of nine suspected gunrunners and the recovery of a significant cache of firearms and ammunition in a series of coordinated operations carried out across several northern states.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) Headquarters in Guzape, Abuja.
According to Hundeyin, the arrests followed weeks of intelligence-led operations targeting networks involved in the illegal trade and distribution of prohibited firearms.
He said the operations led to the recovery of seven AK-47 rifles, two AK-49 rifles, five pump-action rifles, 15 magazines, locally fabricated weapons, over 600 rounds of live ammunition, and other dangerous weapons.
“In the last month, our operatives followed up on several gunrunning cases, leading to the recovery of several dangerous firearms,” Hundeyin stated.
“Today, we are highlighting five key cases that resulted in the arrest of nine suspects and the recovery of multiple rifles and ammunition.”
He explained that on August 30, 2025, following credible intelligence, operatives of the IRT moved into Nasarawa and Plateau States where four suspects — Bello Lado (40), Jafar Adam (25), Adamu Yusuf a.k.a. Alh Bete (46), and Yusuf Ibrahim a.k.a. Chairman Doka (52) — were arrested at different locations between August 30 and September 9. The suspects were found in possession of two AK-47 rifles and 21 rounds of live ammunition. Investigations revealed that they had conspired since 2022 to traffic about 4,940 rounds of ammunition.
In another operation, police operatives arrested Alhaji Bature Manya (46) of Okpatta Village, Doma LGA, Nasarawa State, following a petition from concerned citizens. He was allegedly found with an AK-49 rifle and magazine but without ammunition.
Similarly, on September 27, 2025, one Yunana Iliya a.k.a. Bado (34) was arrested in Kaduna State. Investigations linked him to a group involved in supplying arms and ammunition to bandits across the region.
Two other suspects, Yusuf Musa a.k.a. Dare (37) and Mohammadu Jafaru a.k.a. Mu’a’fe (50), were also arrested in Taraba State. The duo, according to police findings, belong to a network supplying weapons to criminal gangs operating across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Benue States. The police recovered one AK-49 rifle and 30 rounds of live ammunition from them.
Hundeyin added that operatives also apprehended Alhaji Jibrin Abubakar a.k.a. Alh. Majoye (40), a resident of Dogon Ruwan Jahr Village, Plateau State, who was found with a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle. The suspect reportedly confessed to being a member of a notorious arms-supply syndicate operating across Plateau, Bauchi, and Nasarawa States.
The Force spokesperson noted that investigations are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicates and dismantle the criminal networks behind the illegal arms trade.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to combating violent crimes, curbing the proliferation of firearms, and ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians,” Hundeyin assured.
He urged citizens to continue providing credible information to aid police operations, emphasizing that community support and intelligence sharing remain crucial in sustaining the fight against organized crime.
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