In a significant multi-state operation, the Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of nine individuals linked to a network of serious crimes, including gun-running, drug trafficking, and kidnapping. The coordinated crackdown, led by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), highlights the ongoing battle against the illicit supply chains that fuel violence and instability in parts of the country.
A Coordinated Blow Against Criminal Networks
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, detailed the arrests during a media briefing in Abuja. The operations, which spanned several weeks and multiple states, were the result of extensive intelligence gathering. Beyond the arrests, the successes included the rescue of kidnapped victims and the recovery of a substantial arsenal of weapons and narcotics, striking at the logistical heart of criminal enterprises.
The Seized Arsenal: A Threat Neutralized
The haul from the suspects underscores the scale of the threat. Police recovered:
- Firearms: Seven AK-47 rifles, three pump-action rifles, two single-barrel guns, two Beretta pistols, and four locally-made revolver rifles.
- Ammunition: Six live cartridges, four magazines, 35 rounds of assorted live ammunition, and 150 rounds of powerful 7.62mm ammunition.
- Drugs: 24 bags of Indian Hemp (cannabis) and a large quantity of pharmaceutical-grade illicit substances, including tramadol, codeine, and hypnose tablets.
This visual representation of the seized items powerfully illustrates the operational success and the dangerous commodities being trafficked.
Deep Dive: The Gun-Running Pipeline to a Border Region
A critical arrest made on October 26th in Adamawa State reveals a concerning pattern. Following intelligence, IRT operatives apprehended a suspect involved in gun-running, recovering two Beretta pistols, ammunition, and magazines. Investigations revealed the suspect had been in the business for over a year and was poised to supply the weapons to an individual in a town bordering Cameroon. This points to the transnational nature of arms trafficking, where porous borders are exploited to move weapons into conflict zones and among armed groups.
Further investigations led to the arrest of two notorious arms suppliers, one of whom was identified as a gun fabricator. Having operated for over five years in the Adamawa-Cameroon border area, their network demonstrates the entrenched, specialized roles within these illicit economies. The recovery of an AK-47 rifle and a pump-action rifle from them signifies the ongoing demand for high-caliber weaponry.
The Drug-Bandit Nexus: Fuelling Insurgency and Crime
Perhaps the most alarming revelation came from a November 2nd operation in Kaduna State, conducted in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS). Police intercepted a vehicle and arrested a suspect with a massive consignment of illicit pharmaceuticals. The suspect confessed to supplying these drugs—including tramadol, codeine, and hypnotics—directly to bandits operating in the volatile states of Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto.
This confession provides a stark, practical example of the symbiotic relationship between drug trafficking and armed violence. Illicit drugs are often used as stimulants by combatants, are traded as currency, and their sales finance other criminal activities. Disrupting this supply line is a direct tactic to degrade bandit operational capacity.
The Logistics of Illicit Trade: The Courier Arrest
In a separate case highlighting the methods of concealment and transport, IRT operatives intercepted a vehicle en route from Akure to Abuja. The driver was found carrying 24 bags of Indian Hemp, claiming ignorance of the contents. He stated he was paid N150,000 to deliver the consignment to a contact in Abuja. CSP Hundeyin emphasized that such a defense of ignorance “will not hold water, because there is no ignorance under the law.” This arrest underscores how criminal networks often use seemingly ordinary logistics and couriers, insulating the masterminds from direct contact with the contraband.
Ongoing Investigations and the Bigger Picture
CSP Hundeyin confirmed that investigations are intensifying to arrest the suppliers and accomplices of those in custody and to recover more arms and ammunition. These operations by the IRT represent a proactive, intelligence-driven policing model aimed at dismantling networks rather than just apprehending low-level actors. The geographic spread of the arrests—from Adamawa to Kaduna to interstate routes—shows a national scope of effort against the interconnected threats of arms proliferation and drug trafficking, which are fundamental drivers of insecurity in Nigeria. The continued focus on following the chain of supply upwards is crucial for achieving lasting impact.
Report by Monday Ijeh for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Yakubu Uba.
