Army arrests dismissed police Inspector over alleged arms supply to bandits

Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have arrested a dismissed police inspector alleged to be involved in an interstate arms trafficking network operating across parts of the country.

The development was disclosed in a statement posted on the official page of the Nigerian Army on June 15, 2026.

According to the statement, the suspect was arrested during an intelligence-led operation conducted by troops of Sector 6 in collaboration with Headquarters Operation ENDURING PEACE following reports on the movement of illegal arms across state boundaries.

The Army said the suspect was intercepted on Sunday, June 14, while travelling in a white Peugeot vehicle from Jos South towards the Makera axis of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the recovery of two locally fabricated pistols, 167 rounds of 9mm ammunition, three cans of pepper spray and a jack knife.

Other items recovered from the suspect included two mobile phones, two cutlasses, a police staff tag, photographs showing him in police uniform, two ATM cards, a National Identification Number, NIN, card and N73,300 in cash.

According to the Army, preliminary investigations identified the suspect as Inspector Danjuma Yusuf, formerly attached to Nigeria Police Force Base 7, Abuja, who had been dismissed from service.

The statement alleged that intelligence findings linked the suspect to an interstate arms trafficking syndicate involved in supplying weapons to criminal groups engaged in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

“Further intelligence indicates that the suspect is a key figure in an interstate arms trafficking syndicate, allegedly supplying weapons to criminal elements involved in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes,” the Army stated.

The Army said the suspect remains in military custody and is undergoing further interrogation aimed at identifying other members of the alleged network, including financiers and supply channels.

The Army said the arrest was part of ongoing efforts to disrupt illegal arms trafficking and recover illicit weapons.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to working with other security agencies to tackle security threats and urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to support ongoing operations.

Army arrests dismissed police Inspector over alleged arms supply to bandits