Police nab 9, intercept weapons, drugs from cross border syndicates
Police nab 9, intercept weapons, drugs from cross border syndicates
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested nine suspects across Plateau, Adamawa, Kaduna, Zamfara, Lagos, Ondo, Kogi states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), just as weapons and drugs were intercept from cross border syndicates.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this while briefing journalists, Tuesday in Abuja, on
some notable achievements carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in coordinated operations.
He said the operations led to the recovery of a total sum of N150,000, alongside the seizure of 19 firearms, including seven AK-47 rifles, three pump-action guns, two single-barrelled guns, two Beretta pistols and four locally fabricated revolver rifles.
Also, 189 rounds of live ammunition, magazines, assorted cartridges, and large quantities of illicit drugs, including 24 bags of Indian hemp and other controlled substances, were confiscated.
Hundeyin disclosed that the operatives moved into Plateau state on September 9, 2025, following credible intelligence that led to the arrest of Adamu Zaki Babangida, a suspected gunrunner. A pump-action rifle was recovered at the point of arrest, just as further investigation resulted in the recovery of four locally fabricated revolver rifles on October 23, 2025, as investigators intensified efforts to trace other members of the syndicate.
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“On October 23, 2025, intelligence tracking unlawful firearm possession led to the arrest of Chibuke Nnaji in Plateau state, where a fake gun permit was recovered. Follow-up investigation linked the document to Joshua Izang, aka Buffalo, whose arrest resulted in the recovery of a pump-action rifle, two single-barreled guns, and live cartridges, with further suspects still being traced.
Operatives arrested Daudume Bayina in Adamawa state on October 26, 2025, after weeks of intelligence gathering,” the Spokesperson stated.
Speaking further, Hundeyin said his arrest led to the recovery of “two Beretta pistols, ammunition, and magazines, while investigation revealed that the weapons were intended for delivery to a border community and that the suspect had operated as an arms supplier for over a year.”
He said ongoing investigations into arms supply networks resulted in the arrest of John Magah and Ishaya Stephen, whose activities were linked to the provision of weapons to bandits operating around the Adamawa and Cameroon border axis.
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“An AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, ammunition, and cartridges were recovered, while the investigation showed that one of the suspects was involved in gun fabrication and sales spanning several years,” he said.
On November 2, 2025, operatives working with the Department of State Services intercepted a vehicle in Kaduna State and arrested Ifeanyi Egbeke.
The operation led to the recovery of tramadol, codeine, injection syrups, hypnos tablets, and Indian hemp.
Investigation revealed that the drugs were supplied to criminal groups across Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states through a wider distribution network still under investigation.
The FPRO further stated that, “Intelligence tracking gunrunning routes into bandit enclaves led operatives to Birnin Tasaba village in Zamfara state, where Salisu Mohammed, also known as Mande Dawa, was arrested.
“An AK-47 rifle, magazines, and 32 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from a concealed millet bag, while investigation showed long-term involvement in arms delivery to bandits along the Obajana axis of Kogi state.”
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Police operatives also intercepted a trailer travelling from Lagos to Abuja and arrested Uchenna Ikpe after discovering 24 bags of Indian hemp concealed in the vehicle, the spokesperson further stated.
He said the suspect disclosed that he was to be paid N150,000 for transporting the drugs, while the investigation continues to identify those behind the shipment.
In a related operation in Kaduna State, Yunana Iliya, also known as Bado, was arrested following intelligence indicating active arms dealing and kidnapping-related activities.
Five AK-47 rifles and 150 rounds of live ammunition were recovered, while the investigation linked the suspect to a broader criminal conspiracy involving arms supply and child abduction, with other suspects currently at large.
He assured that, “The Force will continue to strengthen its investigative capabilities and collaborate with our law enforcement partners, we remain steadfast in our mission to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of every citizen.
“We are confident that the aggregate of our efforts towards combatting crimes, will, in no time, herald a more secure and peaceful Nigeria.”
