…as IRT arrests 9 suspects, recovers arms, ammunition, illicit drugs
By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded significant breakthroughs in the fight against violent crime, gunrunning and illicit drug trafficking, following a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) across several states of the federation.
At a press briefing held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the FID-IRT Headquarters in Guzape, Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, anipr, mipra, disclosed that the operations, carried out over the past few months, led to the arrest of nine suspects and the recovery of a cache of prohibited firearms, ammunition and large quantities of illicit drugs.
CSP Hundeyin said the successes underscored the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the pursuit of justice, the dismantling of criminal networks and the protection of lives and property across the country. He explained that the operations targeted gunrunning syndicates, arms suppliers to bandits, drug traffickers and other criminal elements whose activities pose serious threats to national security.
According to the Police spokesperson, the cases highlighted during the briefing involved the arrest of notorious gunrunners, arms suppliers and drug traffickers, as well as the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, three pump action rifles, two single-barrel guns, two Beretta pistols, four locally fabricated revolver rifles, six live cartridges, four magazines, 35 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres and 24 bags of Indian hemp, among other exhibits.
In one of the cases, CSP Hundeyin disclosed that operatives of the IRT arrested a suspected gunrunner, Adamu Zaki Babangida, in Plateau State on September 9, 2025, following credible intelligence. A pump action rifle was recovered from him, while subsequent investigations led to the recovery of four locally fabricated revolver rifles at a later date. He said efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate.
In another operation, two suspects, Chibuke Nnaji and Joshua Izang, also known as Buffalo, were arrested in connection with unlawful possession of prohibited firearms. The arrest followed intelligence reports and led to the recovery of a pump action gun, two single-barrel guns and live cartridges, as well as the discovery of a fake gun permit allegedly linked to the suspects.
The Police also confirmed the arrest of a suspected arms supplier, Daudume Bayina, in Adamawa State on October 26, 2025. CSP Hundeyin said two Beretta pistols, live ammunition and magazines were recovered from the suspect, who reportedly confessed to supplying arms across border communities. Investigations, he added, were ongoing to track down his suppliers and accomplices.
Further operations led to the arrest of two other suspected arms dealers, John Magah and Ishaya Stephen, from whom operatives recovered an AK-47 rifle, a pump action gun, a magazine and live cartridges. The suspects were said to have supplied weapons to bandits and operated within Adamawa State and border areas. One of them, according to police findings, was actively involved in gun fabrication.
On the illicit drug front, CSP Hundeyin revealed that a suspected drug supplier, Ifeanyi Egbeke, was arrested in Kaduna State on November 2, 2025, in a joint operation involving the Department of State Services. A large haul of tramadol, codeine, injection syrups, tablets and Indian hemp was recovered, with investigations indicating that the drugs were supplied to bandits operating in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto States.
In Zamfara State, operatives also arrested a suspected gunrunner, Salisu Mohammed, also known as Mande Dawa, who was allegedly transporting an AK-47 rifle, magazines and live ammunition concealed in a bag of millet. The suspect reportedly admitted to long-term involvement in gunrunning, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate.
Another major seizure involved the arrest of a trailer driver, Uchenna Ikpe, who was intercepted while conveying 24 bags of Indian hemp from Lagos towards Abuja. The suspect claimed he was contracted to deliver the drugs for a fee, as investigations continued to identify those behind the shipment.
In a related development, the Police confirmed the arrest of Yunana Iliya, also known as Bado, in Kaduna State, in connection with arms dealing, kidnapping and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms. Five AK-47 rifles and 150 rounds of ammunition were recovered, while the suspect reportedly confessed to involvement in kidnapping and arms supply alongside other accomplices who are currently at large.
CSP Hundeyin assured Nigerians that the Force would continue to strengthen its intelligence and investigative capabilities, deepen collaboration with other security agencies and pursue criminal elements relentlessly. He stressed that all suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
He reaffirmed the resolve of the Nigeria Police Force to uphold the rule of law, protect citizens’ rights and ensure that sustained pressure on criminal networks ultimately delivers a safer and more peaceful Nigeria.
