The Nigeria Police Force has arrested ten suspects across Plateau, Adamawa, Kaduna, Zamfara, Lagos, Ondo, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory in a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations targeting gunrunning, drug trafficking, and kidnapping networks.
The operations led to the recovery of a total sum of N150,000, alongside the seizure of 19 firearms, including seven AK-47 rifles, three pump-action guns, two single-barrelled guns, two Beretta pistols and four locally fabricated revolver rifles.
Also, 189 rounds of live ammunition, magazines, assorted cartridges, and large quantities of illicit drugs, including 24 bags of Indian hemp and other controlled substances, were confiscated.
The achievements were disclosed on Tuesday by the force spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, who provided an overview of the arrests, recoveries, and ongoing investigations linked to the coordinated operations.
Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department carried out the operations—Intelligence Response Team, who relied on sustained intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, surveillance, targeted interception, and follow-up investigations to dismantle interconnected criminal supply chains spanning multiple states.
Providing details, Hundeyin said the operatives moved into Plateau State on September 9, 2025, following credible intelligence that led to the arrest of Adamu Zaki Babangida, a suspected gunrunner. A pump-action rifle was recovered at the point of arrest.
While further investigation resulted in the recovery of four locally fabricated revolver rifles in the same state on October 23, 2025, as investigators intensified efforts to trace other members of the syndicate.
On October 23, 2025, intelligence tracking unlawful firearm possession led to the arrest of Chibuke Nnaji in Plateau State, where a fake gun permit was recovered.
Follow-up investigation linked the document to Joshua Izang, also known as Buffalo, whose arrest resulted in the recovery of a pump-action rifle, two single-barreled guns, and live cartridges, with further suspects still being traced.
Operatives arrested Daudume Bayina in Adamawa State on October 26, 2025, after weeks of intelligence gathering.
Hundeyin said his arrest led to the recovery of “two Beretta pistols, ammunition, and magazines, while investigation revealed that the weapons were intended for delivery to a border community and that the suspect had operated as an arms supplier for over a year.”
Ongoing investigations into arms supply networks resulted in the arrest of John Magah and Ishaya Stephen, whose activities were linked to the provision of weapons to bandits operating around the Adamawa and Cameroon border axis.
“An AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, ammunition, and cartridges were recovered, while the investigation showed that one of the suspects was involved in gun fabrication and sales spanning several years,” he said.
On November 2, 2025, operatives working with the Department of State Services intercepted a vehicle in Kaduna State and arrested Ifeanyi Egbeke.
The operation led to the recovery of tramadol, codeine, injection syrups, hypnos tablets, and Indian hemp.
Investigation revealed that the drugs were supplied to criminal groups across Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states through a wider distribution network still under investigation.
He continued, “Intelligence tracking gunrunning routes into bandit enclaves led operatives to Birnin Tasaba village in Zamfara state, where Salisu Mohammed, also known as Mande Dawa, was arrested.
“An AK-47 rifle, magazines, and 32 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from a concealed millet bag, while investigation showed long-term involvement in arms delivery to bandits along the Obajana axis of Kogi State.”
Operatives also intercepted a trailer travelling from Lagos to Abuja and arrested Uchenna Ikpe after discovering 24 bags of Indian hemp concealed in the vehicle.
The suspect disclosed that he was to be paid N150,000 for transporting the drugs, while the investigation continues to identify those behind the shipment.
In a related operation in Kaduna State, Yunana Iliya, also known as Bado, was arrested following intelligence indicating active arms dealing and kidnapping-related activities.
Five AK-47 rifles and 150 rounds of live ammunition were recovered, while the investigation linked the suspect to a broader criminal conspiracy involving arms supply and child abduction, with other suspects currently at large.
Hundeyin stated that investigations remain ongoing across all cases to dismantle remaining networks and recover additional weapons and illicit substances linked to the arrested suspects.
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