Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a suspected arms courier in Kano State for allegedly transporting weapons meant for delivery to a notorious bandit leader operating in Zamfara State.
Germane Reporters learnt that the suspect was arrested on Friday, June 12, in the Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State following actionable intelligence.
An operational report made available to journalists in Abuja on Saturday said the suspect was intercepted while allegedly moving a cache of arms and ammunition from Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State to Funtua in Katsina State.
The weapons were said to be intended for onward delivery to criminal elements in the North-West.
According to the report, items recovered from the suspect included three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines.
“Items recovered from the suspect include three AK-47 rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) tubes and warheads, as well as two empty magazines,” the PUNCH quoted the report as stating.
Security sources described the recovery as a major step in efforts to block the movement of weapons to criminal groups in the region.
The report said preliminary investigations linked the intercepted arms consignment to a suspected bandit kingpin believed to be operating in parts of Zamfara State.
It added that the suspect allegedly confessed to being hired to transport the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua.
“The suspect confessed that he was contracted to transport the weapons from Maigatari to Funtua and was promised a payment of ₦450,000 upon successful delivery,” the report said.
The report did not disclose the identity of the suspect or the alleged bandit leader.
According to the report, investigations are ongoing to uncover the network behind the movement of the weapons.
“Investigations are ongoing to unravel the network behind the arms movement and identify other collaborators involved in the operation,” it added.
The suspect is currently in DSS custody and is expected to undergo further interrogation before possible prosecution in line with the law.
The report described the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing security operations aimed at disrupting the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal groups.
It said such groups had been linked to violent attacks, kidnappings and other security threats across the North-West.
Security agencies, according to the report, have continued to intensify intelligence-driven operations to dismantle logistics networks that sustain banditry, terrorism and organised crime across the country.
