From Lafia.
The Nasarawa State Police Command has busted a major arms trafficking syndicate with the arrest of two suspects found in possession of a large cache of deadly weapons destined for Kwara State.
According to a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, the operation took place in the early hours of June 4, 2025, following credible intelligence.
He said the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on the orders of Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, intercepted the suspects during a covert operation in Lafia.
The suspects , according to him, are:Lawal Sani, 40, a commercial bus driver from Makwalla, Funtua LGA, Katsina State and Dahiru Abdullahi, 75, a cattle trader from Angwan Dosa, Kaduna North LGA, Kaduna State, who operates within Keffi Cattle Market.
The were said to be en route to Ilorin, Kwara State, when officers intercepted their vehicle,a grey Toyota Hiace bus with registration number AAA 926 XL oaded with an alarming stockpile of weapons.
One General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG),Three AK-47 rifles
,One TAB 06 rifle,1,096 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, 0 rounds of 7.62mm NATO-calibre ammunition and fourr empty magazines recovered from the suspects.
The police image maker added that during preliminary interrogation, the suspects confessed to being paid ₦500,000 to transport the arms from Benue State to Kwara, a deal authorities say could have equipped multiple criminal gangs across the region.
Reacting to the development,CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed described the bust as a “resounding message” to arms traffickers and other criminal elements that, Nasarawa State will not serve as a safe corridor for crime.
“A full-scale investigation is underway to uncover the criminal network behind this operation,” the Commissioner stated.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities via the command’s emergency hotlines: 08112692680, 08032564469, 08036157659, 08037461715, 07032532391.
The suspects remain in custody and are expected to face prosecution upon conclusion of investigations., according to the PPRO.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
