The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted a large consignment of firearms and ammunition allegedly smuggled into Nigeria from Niger Republic, recovering 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines in Sokoto State.
The operation took place in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area, following what security sources described as sustained surveillance of suspected arms trafficking networks allegedly planning to move weapons into the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A security source disclosed that the interception was part of intensified efforts by the intelligence agency to disrupt illegal arms supplies to terrorist and bandit groups operating across parts of Nigeria.
The source also alleged that armed groups had increasingly turned to women and animals, particularly camels, to transport illegal weapons following repeated security interceptions.
DSS Tracks Suspected Arms Couriers Across States
The latest operation comes amid a series of arrests involving suspected female arms couriers across several states.
Earlier in November, DSS operatives reportedly arrested a woman identified as Hafsat Umar in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
She was allegedly found with 12 grenades and two ammunition belts. Intelligence gathered by the agency reportedly indicated that she had travelled to Niger State to obtain ammunition intended for a suspected bandit leader, Saidu Marafa, based in Kani Kawa, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
According to the security source, Umar is among 14 suspected female arms couriers arrested by the DSS between February 2025 and November 2026.
The arrests have reportedly taken place across Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau states.
Previous Arrests Uncover Weapons and Explosives
Among the notable cases was the arrest of Aisha Mohammed in Keffi, Nasarawa State, in October 2026.
She was allegedly caught transporting 202 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition and three empty magazines through an arms dealer and suspected kidnapper identified as Sani.
In September 2026, two other women, Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba, were arrested at separate locations in Ebonyi State over alleged involvement in supplying weapons and explosives to commanders of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The operation reportedly led to the recovery of 14 wraps of improvised explosive device (IED) detonators. The suspected recipients included Chinonso Amobi Okafor, popularly known as Temple, and another commander identified as B44, both reportedly operating in Anambra State.
Other arrests included Rabiatu Halidu, who was apprehended in August along Abacha Road in Nasarawa State with 501 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
In February, DSS operatives arrested Aisha Ibrahim in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State with 975 rounds of ammunition.
Earlier in January, Sakina Muhammad and Badariyya Abubakar were arrested along the Wukari-Jalingo Road in Taraba State. Recovered from them were an AK-47 rifle, 984 rounds of special ammunition, 105 rounds of general-purpose machine gun ammunition and 14 empty AK-47 magazines.
DSS Reports Multiple Arms Trafficking Arrests in 2025
The intelligence agency also recorded several arrests in 2025 involving women allegedly transporting weapons and ammunition to criminal groups.
Those arrested included Rahane Sanusi, who was apprehended in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State while allegedly conveying ammunition from an illegal arms dealer in Sokoto State to a suspected bandit leader identified as Ibrahim Bare, also known as Baba, in Anka Local Government Area.
Other suspects reportedly arrested during the period included Suwaiba Abubakar, Halima Umar, Firdausi Haruna, Saidya Ibrahim and Fatima Sani, with various quantities of arms and ammunition recovered during the operations.
Court Sentences Female Arms Couriers to 20 Years
The DSS also cited previous convictions involving women prosecuted for terrorism-related offences linked to illegal arms transportation.
According to the security source, the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three women identified as Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu and Halima Umar to 20 years’ imprisonment each following their prosecution on terrorism-related charges.
The agency maintained that the latest suspects would also face prosecution.
A security source said Hafsat Umar would be charged to court, adding that the DSS would continue using intelligence-led operations to identify and apprehend individuals involved in illegal arms trafficking.
The latest interception comes amid continuing security concerns over the movement of weapons across Nigeria’s borders and their alleged supply to armed groups operating in different parts of the country.
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