Terrorism: DSS Intercepts Weapons Shipment From Niger Republic

-Recovers 21 AK-47 Rifles, 4 Machine Guns

The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly foiled an alleged arms-smuggling operation linked to suspected terrorist networks, intercepting a large consignment of weapons and ammunition suspected to have been brought into Nigeria from the Niger Republic.

The operation, carried out by DSS operatives in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, led to the recovery of 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines.

The interception comes amid heightened security concerns and increased surveillance by intelligence agencies to prevent illegal arms trafficking and possible attacks by armed groups ahead of the 2027 general elections.

A security source disclosed that the operation was part of sustained intelligence-driven efforts by the DSS to dismantle arms-smuggling networks and disrupt the supply chains allegedly sustaining terrorism and banditry across the country.

According to the source, suspected criminal networks have increasingly resorted to using women and animals, particularly camels, to transport weapons and ammunition in an attempt to evade security surveillance.

In a related operation, DSS operatives reportedly arrested a suspected female arms courier, identified as Hafsat Umar, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Umar was allegedly found in possession of 12 grenades and two ammunition belts. Intelligence findings reportedly indicated that she had travelled to Niger State to source ammunition for delivery to a suspected bandit leader, Saidu Marafa, said to be operating in Kani Kawa, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Her arrest reportedly brings to 14 the number of suspected female illegal arms couriers apprehended by the DSS between February 2025 and November 2026.

The arrests were said to have been recorded in Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau states.

Among the operations was the reported arrest of Aisha Mohammed in Keffi, Nasarawa State, last month. She was allegedly conveying 202 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition and three empty AK-47 magazines through an arms dealer and suspected kidnapper identified as Sani.

In September 2026, two other suspected female couriers, Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba, were reportedly 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 suspected recipients were identified as Chinonso Amobi Okafor, popularly known as Temple, and another commander reportedly known as B44, who were said to be operating in Anambra State. Fourteen wraps of improvised explosive device detonators were also recovered during the operation.

Similarly, in August, DSS operatives reportedly arrested Rabiatu Halidu along Abacha Road in Katu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, with 501 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

In February, another suspect, Aisha Ibrahim, was arrested in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State with 975 rounds of ammunition.

Earlier in January, Sakina Muhammad and Badariyya Abubakar were reportedly arrested along the Wukari-Jalingo Road in Taraba State. The operatives allegedly recovered an AK-47 rifle, 984 rounds of special ammunition, 105 rounds of general-purpose machine gun ammunition and 14 empty AK-47 magazines from them.

The DSS also recorded several arrests in 2025, including that of Rahane Sanusi in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State. She was allegedly apprehended while transporting ammunition sourced from an illegal arms dealer in Sokoto State to a suspected bandit leader, Ibrahim Bare, popularly known as Baba, in Anka Local Government Area.

Other suspected female couriers arrested during the period included Suwaiba Abubakar, Halima Umar, Firdausi Haruna, Saidya Ibrahim and Fatima Sani, from whom varying quantities of arms and ammunition were reportedly recovered.

Beyond the arrests and recoveries, the DSS has also secured convictions in terrorism-related cases involving suspected female arms couriers.

Earlier this year, the Federal High Court in Abuja reportedly convicted three women — Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu and Halima Umar — sentencing each to 20 years’ imprisonment following their prosecution by the Service on terrorism-related charges.

The security source said Hafsat Umar would also be charged to court, adding that the DSS remained committed to deploying intelligence and tactical operations to track down individuals involved in illegal arms trafficking.

The source said the Service would continue to leverage actionable intelligence and sustained operations to identify and apprehend those involved in the illegal arms trade and ensure they face the law.