The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of additional gun runners and the recovery of large cache of weapons and ammunition nationwide.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police confirmed that operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID‑IRT), acting on actionable intelligence, intercepted and dismantled a notorious arms supply syndicate linked to recent deadly attacks in Benue communities.
On June 21, FID‑IRT operatives stormed a forest hideout on the boundary between Kardako in Nasarawa State and Yelwata in Benue State, engaging the bandits in a fierce gun duel.
The criminals fled with gunshot injuries, but the team recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) from the hideout.
July 18, a tactical team arrested 25‑year‑old Abubakar Isah along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway in Makurdi.
He was caught in possession of three AK‑47 rifles and 1,002 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, which investigations revealed were destined for bandit groups in Benue.
The arms were traced to a notorious dealer, Jacob Adikwu, operating from Abinsi in Guma LGA, and meant for delivery to wanted kingpin Dan Hassan, who has been linked to violent attacks in Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States.
On July 12, operatives arrested another suspect, Ibrahim, a.k.a. Chelsea, who confessed to sending ₦6.5 million to Adikwu—₦6 million for two AK‑47 rifles and 2,000 rounds of live ammunition, and ₦500,000 for modifying a Volkswagen vehicle with a secret compartment to transport the arms to Kwara State.
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The crackdown intensified on 16th July, 2025, when the Police stormed Abinsi town, apprehending Jacob Adikwu and recovering three AK‑47 rifles, 220 rounds of live ammunition, and a Volkswagen car. A follow‑up search on 17th July, 2025, led to the recovery of five more AK‑47 rifles, one rocket launcher, and 1,000 rounds of live ammunition from the same dealer.
The Police say efforts are ongoing to apprehend Dan Hassan and other fleeing members of the network.
Those already in custody will face prosecution at the conclusion of investigations.
Inspector‑General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, commended the operatives for their “doggedness at all times,” stressing that:
“There will be no hiding place for those who profit from the bloodshed of innocent Nigerians.”
The IGP urged security personnel to sustain the offensive against arms trafficking and banditry in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to restore peace and stability in affected areas.
