By Nkechi Eze
In a major intelligence-driven operation, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) have arrested nine suspects and recovered a cache of lethal weapons and ammunition in coordinated raids across Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, and Taraba States, the Nigeria Police Force announced at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Addressing journalists at the FID-IRT Headquarters, Guzape, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, outlined a month-long series of coordinated operations that followed up on multiple gunrunning leads. He explained that the sustained crackdown led to the recovery of seven AK-47 rifles, two AK-49 rifles, five pump-action rifles, fifteen magazines, one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated shorty rifle, one locally fabricated pistol, one axe, six machetes, six hundred and fifteen (615) rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, and fourteen (14) expended cartridges.
CSP Hundeyin said the operatives have, in the course of these operations, uncovered five major cases which resulted in the arrest of nine suspects and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, two AK-49 rifles, one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, and fifty-one (51) rounds of live ammunition of various calibres. He noted that the coordinated raids were conducted following actionable intelligence gathered from several communities in the affected states, all linked to the illicit trade in arms and ammunition that fuels banditry and other violent crimes in the North Central region.
According to him, the first case involved the arrest of four notorious gunrunners identified as Bello Lado a.k.a. Bingel, aged 40; Jafar Adam, aged 25; Adamu Yusuf a.k.a. Alh. Bete, aged 46; and Yusuf Ibrahim a.k.a. Chairman Doka, aged 52. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the IRT stormed locations in Nasarawa and Plateau States on different dates between August 30 and September 9, 2025, where the suspects were apprehended in possession of two AK-47 rifles and twenty-one rounds of live ammunition. Investigations revealed that the suspects had conspired since 2022 to trade approximately 4,940 rounds of live ammunition. The Force has since intensified efforts to track down other fleeing members of the syndicate.
Another suspect, identified as Alhaji Bature Manya, aged 46, was arrested in Okpatta Village, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, following a petition from concerned citizens. The suspect, who was found with an AK-49 rifle and a magazine but without ammunition, is currently under investigation for his role in the illegal possession and possible distribution of prohibited firearms.
Similarly, one suspected arms supplier, Yunana Iliya a.k.a. Bado, aged 34, of Kanrafi Village, Kaduna State, was arrested on September 27, 2025, at about 11:00 a.m. Investigations revealed that he had conspired with three other accomplices, currently at large, to supply arms and ammunition to bandit groups within the state and its environs.
In another breakthrough, the IRT operatives arrested two notorious arms suppliers and kidnappers, Yusuf Musa a.k.a. Dare, aged 37, and Mohammadu Jafaru a.k.a. Mu’a’fe, aged 50, in Taraba State on September 18, 2025. Recovered from them were one AK-49 rifle and thirty rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. Investigations further revealed that the duo belonged to a criminal network that supplies arms and ammunition to gangs operating across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Benue States. These weapons, according to findings, are often used to carry out operations of armed robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and attacks on neighbouring communities.
The fifth operation led to the arrest of another notorious arms supplier and kidnapper, Alhaji Jibrin Abubakar a.k.a. Alh. Majoye, aged 40, a resident of Dogon Ruwan Jahr Village, Plateau State. He was apprehended on October 6, 2025, at about 1:15 p.m., and found in possession of a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle. Police investigations revealed that he is part of a wider arms supply syndicate operating across Plateau, Bauchi, and Nasarawa States. He has since identified other accomplices, and efforts are ongoing to arrest them and recover additional weapons.
While presenting the operational report, CSP Hundeyin stated that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has commended the professionalism, discipline, and diligence displayed by the IRT operatives throughout the course of their investigations. The IGP, he noted, lauded their “intelligence-led precision, coordinated field operations, and commitment to dismantling the illegal arms trade that endangers the peace and security of the nation.”
CSP Hundeyin further assured that the Nigeria Police Force will sustain its intelligence-driven approach to policing and continue to collaborate with other security agencies to dismantle arms trafficking networks fueling violent crimes across the country. He emphasized that all the arrested suspects are currently under thorough investigation and will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of inquiries.
He reaffirmed the NPF’s determination to rid the country of illicit weapons and restore public safety, urging citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to aid police efforts. “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its mission to protect lives and property through intelligence gathering, professional investigations, and proactive field operations. The recovery of these weapons represents another decisive step towards dismantling the machinery of violence and restoring peace across our communities,” he stated.
