The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of several gunrunners and illicit drug suppliers who were allegedly working with bandits and terrorist groups across different states in the country. Among those arrested is a female gunrunner, Hauwa Sani, who was caught with a large stash of ammunition intended for criminal groups in the north.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, provided details of these significant operations carried out by the police. According to Adejobi, these efforts were spearheaded by the Force Intelligence and Department-Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), which has been working around the clock to disrupt the operations of criminal networks involved in arms trafficking, drug supply, and other illegal activities.
One of the most striking arrests took place on December 23, 2024, when operatives intercepted Hauwa Sani, a 30-year-old woman from Doro village along the Keffi/Abuja Expressway. Sani was found to be in possession of 124 rounds of live ammunition, which were concealed inside a 5-liter container of palm oil.
During questioning, Sani admitted that she had been tasked with delivering the ammunition to Katsina State by a man identified as Nasiru, who hails from Daura, Katsina. Sani’s arrest marks a significant blow to the criminal network involved in smuggling arms and ammunition to violent groups operating in northern Nigeria.
“Further investigations have led to several other arrests and recoveries, which are still undergoing profiling,” Adejobi stated. “We continue to urge citizens to be cautious and report any suspicious activities or items to the authorities to help us fight crime.”
In another operation on February 1, 2025, the FID-STS operatives apprehended three men – Alhaji Usman Yahaya (50), Joseph Matthew (27), and Solomon Bala (25) – in Potiskum, Yobe State. The suspects were transporting 30 cartons of codeine syrups and other hard drugs.
The drugs, according to the suspects’ confessions, were meant to be supplied to bandits, Boko Haram insurgents, and kidnappers who have been terrorizing Yobe State and neighboring areas. The arrest of these drug suppliers highlights the critical role that illicit substances play in fueling criminal activities and violence in the region.
“The successful arrest of these individuals, along with the seizure of the drugs, shows our determination to prevent criminal organizations from obtaining the resources they need to perpetuate violence,” Adejobi said.
The following week, on February 3, 2025, police operatives in Yobe State also captured three men – Yusuf Dantani (24), Usman Labaran (32), and Musa Mohammed (23) – who were in possession of 10 AK-47 rifles. The suspects confessed that they had been involved in several arms deals and were about to complete a transaction that would have earned them nearly four million Naira (N3,980,000) for their last batch of weapons.
“The suspects have been part of a dangerous network involved in the illegal sale and distribution of firearms to criminal elements across the country,” ACP Adejobi explained. “Their arrest is another major success in our efforts to dismantle arms trafficking rings and reduce the flow of weapons into the hands of criminals.”
The involvement of arms dealers, along with drug suppliers, underscores the multi-faceted nature of Nigeria’s security challenges. The ongoing conflict with armed groups such as Boko Haram and bandits has been exacerbated by the easy access these groups have to weapons and drugs, which are often smuggled into the country through various means.
The Nigeria Police Force has reaffirmed its commitment to proactively combat crime and ensure the safety and security of citizens across the country. According to Adejobi, these recent arrests demonstrate the force’s determination to dismantle criminal networks involved in arms trafficking, drug supply, and other illegal activities.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its efforts to disrupt criminal enterprises and bring perpetrators to justice,” the police spokesman stated. “We urge the public to continue supporting our work by providing timely and accurate information that can aid in the prevention and detection of crime.”
In addition to dismantling criminal networks, the police have also emphasized the importance of building stronger relationships with communities to prevent crime at the local level. Community engagement and intelligence-sharing have been highlighted as key tools in tackling the growing security challenges in the country.
Nigeria has been grappling with a severe security crisis for several years, particularly in the northern and central regions of the country. Armed groups such as Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and various bandit groups have terrorized local populations, carrying out violent attacks, kidnappings, and ambushes.
One of the main factors contributing to the rise of these groups is the ease with which they acquire arms and ammunition. Many of these weapons are smuggled into the country from neighboring nations or sourced through illegal arms dealers within Nigeria. The continued smuggling of illicit drugs also fuels criminal activity, as these substances are often used to fund operations and recruit members for militant groups.
In recent years, the Nigerian government has made concerted efforts to tackle these issues, deploying military forces and intelligence units like the FID-STS to crack down on criminal activities. However, the security challenges remain significant, and continued collaboration with local communities and international partners is seen as essential in achieving long-term stability.
