Follow Us on Google
From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The police force headquarters in Abuja said its operatives have arrested nine suspected gunrunners who specialise in supplying weapons, arms, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons to bandits, terrorists, armed robbers and other criminal groups across the country.
The operation led by men of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), led to the recovery of 7 AK-47 Rifles, 2 AK-49 Rifles, 5 pump action rifles, 15 Magazines, 1 Locally Fabricated AK-47 Rifle, 1 locally fabricated shorty rifle, 1 locally fabricated pistol, 1 axe, 6 machetes, 615 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, and 14 expended catridges.
Force public relations officer Benjamin Hundeyi, who made this known, said the operation conducted in the last month resulted in the arrest of two kidnapped suspects.
He said four suspected gunrunners, 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, arrested in Nassarawa and Plateau States, were found to be in possession of two AK-47 RIFLES, 21, ROUNDS OF LIVE AMMUNITION.
According to him, “On August 30, 2025, at about 11:00 AM, following the receipt of credible intelligence, operatives of the IRT moved to Nasarawa and Plateau States, leading to the arrest of the above-named suspects on different dates between August 30 and September 9, 2025. The suspects were found in possession of two AK-47 rifles and twenty-one rounds of live ammunition. Investigation revealed that the suspects conspired from 2022 till date to trade approximately 4,940 rounds of live ammunition. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate now at large.
Other News
Hindi said that one other suspect, ALH. BATURE MANYA, 46, was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm.
“Acting on a petition from concerned citizens of Nasarawa State, operatives of the IRT conducted an intelligence-led operation resulting in the arrest of one Alhaji Bature Manya, 46 years, of Okpatta Village, Doma LGA, Nasarawa State. The suspect was found in possession of one AK-49 rifle with a magazine but without ammunition. Investigation is ongoing.
He said, “On September 27, 2025, at about 11:00 AM, operatives of the IRT, acting on intelligence, arrested one Yunana Iliya a.k.a. Bado, 34 years, of Kanrafi Village, Kaduna State. Investigation revealed that the suspect conspired in August 2025 with three accomplices currently at large, in the illegal supply of arms and ammunition to bandits. Efforts are in top gear to track and apprehend all his associates.
Continuing, he said, “On September 18, 2025, at about 11:00 AM, following actionable intelligence, operatives of the IRT arrested two notorious arms dealers, Yusuf Musa a.k.a. Dare and Mohammadu Jafaru a.k.a. Mu’a’fe, in Taraba State. Investigation revealed that the suspects are of a network supplying arms to criminal gangs across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Benue States. The recovered items included one AK-49 rifle and thirty rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. Further investigation revealed that some of the supplied arms and ammunition are for other gang members to use during operations of armed robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and attacks against neighbouring communities. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
“On October 6, 2025, at about 1:15 PM, operatives of the IRT, acting on intelligence, apprehended one Alhaji Jibrin Abubakar a.k.a. Alh. Majoye, 40 years, a resident of Dogon Ruwan Jahr Village, Plateau State. Investigation has revealed that the suspect is a member of a notorious arms-supply syndicate operating across Plateau, Bauchi, and Nasarawa States. A fabricated AK-47 rifle was recovered from him. The suspect also identified other accomplices, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them and recover their weapons.”
