The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a notorious arms supply network allegedly responsible for arming violent bandits across the North-Central region.
According to a statement by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, the operation, led by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department, Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), resulted in the recovery of sophisticated weapons, including a rocket launcher, General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), and multiple AK-47 rifles. The operatives also intercepted over 2,200 rounds of live ammunition.
According to the statement, the clampdown began on June 21, 2025, when FID-IRT operatives stormed a forested hideout straddling Kardako in Nasarawa State and Yelwata in Benue State.
“The raid followed credible intelligence linking the location to bandits involved in the deadly Yelwata killings. A fierce gun battle ensued, forcing the suspects to flee with injuries. In the aftermath, police recovered two GPMGs from the hideout.
“Further gains were made on July 8, 2025, when 25-year-old Abubakar Isah was arrested during a tactical stop-and-search operation along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway in Benue State.
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“He was caught with three AK-47 rifles and 1,002 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. Investigations revealed the weapons were supplied by a well-known arms dealer, Jacob Adikwu, based in Abinsi, Guma Local Government Area”, the statement reads.
The recovered items were reportedly headed to one Dan Hassan, a notorious bandit kingpin linked to coordinated attacks across Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States.
According Police, investigation took another turn on July 12, when police arrested a suspect identified simply as Ibrahim, alias Chelsea.
“During interrogation, he confessed to paying ₦6.5 million to Adikwu for arms procurement, ₦6 million for two AK-47 rifles and 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and ₦500,000 for modifying a Volkswagen vehicle to conceal the arms during transportation to Kwara State.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, FID-IRT operatives raided Abinsi on July 16, arresting Adikwu at his hideout.
“The operation led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, 220 rounds of ammunition, and a Volkswagen car reportedly modified for smuggling arms.
“A follow-up search conducted on July 17 yielded even more firepower, five additional AK-47 rifles, one rocket launcher, and another 1,000 rounds of ammunition”, the statement added.
The police said they have intensified efforts to apprehend Dan Hassan and other fugitives connected to the arms trafficking ring and recent attacks.
“Those already in custody will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations”,.
Commending the operatives for their resilience, Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, IGP, vowed that the Force would continue to hunt down criminals exploiting Nigeria’s insecurity for profit.
“There will be no hiding place for those who profit from the bloodshed of innocent Nigerians,” the IGP declared.
He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to restoring peace and stability across Benue and other parts of the country, in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
