A suspected arms courier’s journey ended abruptly when operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) intercepted him in Kano State while allegedly transporting weapons destined for a notorious bandit kingpin operating in Zamfara.
According to an operational report obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the suspect was arrested on Friday in Gezawa Local Government Area following intelligence-driven surveillance and tracking efforts.
The report stated that the suspect was moving a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State to Funtua in Katsina State, where the weapons were to be handed over for onward delivery to criminal elements.
Recovered from the suspect were three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines, highlighting the scale of the intercepted consignment.
Preliminary investigations linked the weapons to a suspected bandit kingpin believed to be operating across parts of Zamfara State. The suspect reportedly confessed that he was hired to transport the arms and was promised N450,000 upon successful delivery.
Security officials said investigations are ongoing to uncover the network behind the arms movement and identify other collaborators involved in the operation.
The arrest is being viewed as a significant breakthrough in efforts to cut off the flow of weapons to criminal groups responsible for kidnappings, violent attacks and insecurity across the North-West.
The suspect remains in DSS custody and is expected to face further investigation and possible prosecution in line with the law.
The report noted that security agencies have continued to intensify intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling the logistics networks that sustain banditry, terrorism and other forms of organised crime across the country.
