The Department of State Services (DSS) has foiled an attempt to smuggle a large cache of firearms and ammunition into Nigeria from the Niger Republic, recovering 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines.
The seizure was carried out by operatives of the secret police in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following intelligence-led surveillance of suspected terrorist networks operating across the border.
A security source disclosed that the operation was part of intensified efforts to dismantle arms supply channels used by terrorists and other criminal groups to obtain weapons.
The latest interception comes less than 70 days before the 2027 general elections, amid heightened security concerns across the country.
The source said sustained operations by the DSS had forced illegal arms dealers and their collaborators to explore unconventional methods of transporting weapons, including the use of women and animals such as camels to evade security checks.
In a related development, DSS operatives recently arrested a suspected female arms courier, identified as Hafsat Umar, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
She was reportedly found in possession of 12 grenades and two ammunition belts.
Intelligence findings indicated that Umar had travelled to Niger State to procure ammunition for onward delivery to a suspected bandit leader, Saidu Marafa, operating in Kani Kawa, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
She is said to be the 14th female suspected arms courier arrested by the service between February 2025 and November 2026.
Other arrests involving suspected female arms traffickers have been recorded in Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau states.
Among them was Aisha Mohammed, who was arrested in Keffi, Nasarawa State, last month while allegedly transporting ammunition through a suspected arms dealer and kidnapper identified as Sani.
Operatives reportedly recovered 202 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition and three empty AK-47 magazines from her.
In September 2026, two other suspects, Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba, were arrested at different locations in Ebonyi State over allegations of supplying firearms and explosives to commanders of the outlawed Eastern Security Network.
The commanders were identified as Chinonso Amobi Okafor, popularly known as Temple, and another suspect known as B44, who were reportedly operating in Anambra State. Fourteen wraps of improvised explosive device detonators were recovered during the operation.
Similarly, the DSS arrested Rabiatu Halidu along Abacha Road in Katu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State in August, recovering 501 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition from her.
In February, another suspect, Aisha Ibrahim, was apprehended in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State with 975 rounds of ammunition.
Earlier in January, operatives arrested Sakina Muhammad and Badariyya Abubakar along the Wukari-Jalingo Road in Taraba State.
The suspects were allegedly found with an AK-47 rifle, 984 rounds of special ammunition, 105 rounds of general-purpose machine gun ammunition and 14 empty AK-47 magazines.
The service also recorded several arrests in 2025, including that of Rahane Sanusi in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
She was allegedly intercepted while transporting ammunition sourced from an illegal arms dealer in Sokoto State to a suspected bandit identified as Ibrahim Bare, also known as Baba, in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Other women arrested in connection with arms trafficking during the period included Suwaiba Abubakar, Halima Umar, Firdausi Haruna, Saidya Ibrahim and Fatima Sani, from whom varying quantities of weapons and ammunition were reportedly recovered.
Beyond the arrests, the DSS has also secured convictions in terrorism-related cases involving female arms couriers.
The Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three women, Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu and Halima Umar, to 20 years' imprisonment each following their prosecution on terrorism-related charges.
The security source said Hafsat Umar would also be arraigned in court, adding that the service remained committed to tracking down other individuals involved in illegal arms trafficking.
“Like the others before her, Hafsat Umar will also be charged to court, and the DSS will use intelligence at their disposal to bring other criminals to justice,” the source said.
The source further assured that the service would sustain intelligence-driven operations and tactical interventions to dismantle illegal weapons networks and ensure that those involved are brought to justice.
