By Miriam Humbe
In operations across Nigeria aimed at curbing insecurity, the Nigeria Police Force have recently, arrests 9 suspects, recovered 2 AK-47 Rifles, 2 AK-49 Rifles, 1 Locally Fabricated AK-47 Rifle and 51 Rounds of Live Ammunition.
Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed this during a press briefing at the FID-IRT Headquarters, Guzape, Abuja on Thursday.
The FPRO also announced the arrest of suspected gun-runners and suspected arms dealers among others.
Here’s a full text of the FPRO’s speech:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, you are welcome to today’s Press Briefing, which will highlight some of the notable achievements carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), in several coordinated operations.
In the last month, the operatives followed up on several gunrunning cases, leading to the recovery of several dangerous firearms, including 7 AK-47 Rifles, 2 AK-49 Rifles, 5 pump action rifles, 15 Magazines, 1 Locally Fabricated AK-47 Rifle, 1 locally fabricated shorty rifle, 1 locally fabricated pistol, 1 axe, 6 machetes, 615 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, and 14 expended catridges.
Today, we would be highlighting 5 cases which have led to the arrest of 9 suspects, and the recovery of 2 AK-47 Rifles, 2 AK-49 Rifles, 1 Locally Fabricated AK-47 Rifle, and 51 Rounds of Live Ammunition of various calibres.
1. ARREST OF SUSPECTED GUNRUNNERS
CASE: CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, ARMS DEALINGS, AND UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF PROHIBITED FIREARMS
SUSPECTS:
1. BELLO LADO a.k.a. BINGEL ‘M’ AGED 40
2. JAFAR ADAM ‘M’ AGED 25
3. ADAMU YUSUF a.k.a. ALH BETE ‘M’ AGED 46
4. YUSUF IBRAHIM a.k.a. CHAIRMAN DOKA ‘M’ AGED 52
EXHIBITS: TWO AK-47 RIFLES AND TWENTY-ONE (21) ROUNDS OF LIVE AMMUNITION
CASE DESCRIPTION: On August 30, 2025, at about 11:00 AM, following the receipt of credible intelligence, operatives of the IRT moved to Nasarawa and Plateau States, leading to the arrest of the above-named suspects on different dates between August 30 and September 9, 2025.
The suspects were found in possession of two AK-47 rifles and twenty-one rounds of live ammunition.
Investigation revealed that the suspects conspired from 2022 till date to trade approximately 4,940 rounds of live ammunition.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate now at large.
2. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMS DEALER
CASE: CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF PROHIBITED FIREARM
SUSPECT: ALH. BATURE MANYA ‘M’ AGED 46
EXHIBIT: ONE AK-49 RIFLE WITH MAGAZINE
CASE DESCRIPTION: Acting on a petition from concerned citizens of Nasarawa State, operatives of the IRT conducted an intelligence-led operation resulting in the arrest of one Alhaji Bature Manya, 46 years, of Okpatta Village, Doma LGA, Nasarawa State. The suspect was found in possession of one AK-49 rifle with magazine but without ammunition. Investigation is ongoing.
3. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMS SUPPLIER
CASE: CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF PROHIBITED FIREARM
SUSPECT: YUNANA ILIYA a.k.a. BADO ‘M’ AGED 34
CASE DESCRIPTION: On September 27, 2025, at about 11:00 AM, operatives of the IRT, acting on intelligence, arrested one Yunana Iliya a.k.a. Bado, 34 years, of Kanrafi Village, Kaduna State. Investigation revealed that the suspect conspired in August 2025 with three accomplices currently at large, in the illegal supply of arms and ammunition to bandits. Efforts are in top gear to track and apprehend all his associates.
4. ARREST OF TWO NOTORIOUS ARMS SUPPLIERS AND KIDNAPPERS
SUSPECTS:
1. YUSUF MUSA a.k.a. DARE ‘M’ AGED 37
2. MOHAMMADU JAFARU a.k.a. MU’A’FE ‘M’ AGED 50
EXHIBITS: ONE AK-49 RIFLE AND THIRTY (30) ROUNDS OF 7.62MM LIVE AMMUNITION
CASE DESCRIPTION: On September 18, 2025, at about 11:00 AM, following actionable intelligence, operatives of the IRT arrested two notorious arms dealers, Yusuf Musa a.k.a. Dare and Mohammadu Jafaru a.k.a. Mu’a’fe, in Taraba State. Investigation revealed that the suspects are of a network supplying arms to criminal gangs across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Benue States.
The recovered items included one AK-49 rifle and thirty rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Further investigation revealed that some of the supplied arms and ammunition are for other gang members to use during operations of armed robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and attacks against neighbouring communities. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
5. ARREST OF NOTORIOUS ARMS SUPPLIER AND KIDNAPPER
SUSPECT: ALH. JIBRIN ABUBAKAR a.k.a. ALH. MAJOYE ‘M’ AGED 40
EXHIBIT: ONE FABRICATED AK-47 RIFLE
CASE DESCRIPTION: On October 6, 2025, at about 1:15 PM, operatives of the IRT, acting on intelligence, apprehended one Alhaji Jibrin Abubakar a.k.a. Alh. Majoye, 40 years, a resident of Dogon Ruwan Jahr Village, Plateau State. Investigation has revealed that the suspect is a member of a notorious arms-supply syndicate operating across Plateau, Bauchi, and Nasarawa States.
A fabricated AK-47 rifle was recovered from him.
The suspect also identified other accomplices, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them and recover their weapons.
