Nasarawa Security Crackdown: 70-Year-Old Man, Four Others Arrested Over Suspected Arms Trafficking

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five suspected arms couriers and recovered 2,241 rounds of ammunition during a series of security operations across Nasarawa State between August and October 2026.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi A. Sule, disclosed the development in Lafia on Thursday, October 22, through his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra.

The governor commended the DSS and other security agencies for their continued efforts to disrupt the illegal movement of arms and ammunition in the state.

Among the latest suspects arrested was 23-year-old Aisha Mohammed, a resident of Bwari in the Federal Capital Territory. She was reportedly apprehended in Keffi with 202 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and three empty magazines.

Sule also identified three other suspects arrested between August and September as 40-year-old Hassan Sani, 41-year-old Abdulkadir Idrissa and 70-year-old Salihu Garba, popularly known as Nabayi.

According to the governor, security operatives recovered 777 rounds of ammunition from the three suspects. The recovered items comprised 678 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 99 rounds of 7.5mm ammunition, alongside other items.

In a separate operation conducted in August, operatives intercepted another suspected arms courier, Ismail Lawalli, a native of Zamfara State, along the Keffi-Abuja highway.

The operation reportedly led to the recovery of 1,262 rounds of assorted ammunition, representing the largest single ammunition seizure recorded during the period covered by the operations.

The governor praised the security personnel involved in the operations and acknowledged the collaboration between security agencies and his administration.

He also assured residents that his government remained committed to tackling criminal activities and supporting efforts to improve security across Nasarawa State.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the arrests and ammunition recoveries form part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb the illegal circulation of arms and strengthen public safety in the state.