The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted a large consignment of weapons and ammunition smuggled into Nigeria from the Niger Republic, a security source has disclosed.
The weapons, comprising 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines, were intercepted by DSS operatives in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following surveillance of suspected terrorist networks.
The operation comes less than 70 days before the 2027 general elections.
The source said the interception followed intelligence gathering on suspected terror cells seeking to move weapons into the country.
The source also disclosed that increased interceptions by the DSS had forced criminal groups to adopt alternative methods of moving illegal arms, including the use of women and beasts of burden, particularly camels.
Earlier in the week, DSS operatives arrested another suspected female arms courier, Hafsat Umar, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Umar was allegedly found with 12 grenades and two ammunition belts. She is said to be the 14th female arms courier arrested by the service between February 2025 and November 2026.
Intelligence reportedly indicated that she had travelled to Niger State to source ammunition for delivery to a suspected bandit leader, Saidu Marafa, based in Kani Kawa, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The arrests by the DSS have been recorded across Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau states.
Among the cases cited was the arrest of Aisha Mohammed in Keffi, Nasarawa State, last month. She was allegedly conveying arms and ammunition through an arms dealer and kidnapper identified only as Sani.
Operatives recovered 202 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition and three empty AK-47 magazines from her.
In September 2026, two other suspected couriers, Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba, were arrested at separate locations in Ebonyi State over their alleged involvement in supplying weapons and explosives to commanders of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The commanders were identified as Chinonso Amobi Okafor, also known as Temple, and B44, who were reportedly based in Anambra State. Fourteen wraps of improvised explosive device (IED) detonators were recovered during the operation.
In August, the DSS arrested Rabiatu Halidu on Abacha Road, Katu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, with 501 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Another suspect, Aisha Ibrahim, was arrested in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State in February with 975 rounds of ammunition.
In January, operatives arrested Sakina Muhammad and Badariyya Abubakar along the Wukari-Jalingo Road in Taraba State. They were allegedly found with one AK-47 rifle, 984 rounds of special ammunition, 105 rounds of GPMG ammunition and 14 empty AK-47 magazines.
The service also recorded several arrests in 2025, including that of Rahane Sanusi in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Sanusi was allegedly caught conveying ammunition from an illegal arms dealer in Sokoto State to a suspected bandit, Ibrahim Bare, also known as Baba, in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Other women arrested during the period included Suwaiba Abubakar, Halima Umar, Firdausi Haruna, Saidya Ibrahim and Fatima Sani. Varying quantities of arms and ammunition were reportedly recovered from them.
The DSS also recorded convictions in terrorism-related cases involving female arms couriers. The Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three women — Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu and Halima Umar — to 20 years’ imprisonment each after their arraignment on terrorism-related charges.
A security source said Hafsat Umar would also be charged to court.
“Like the others before her,” the source said, “Hafsat Umar will also be charged to court, and the DSS will use intelligence at their disposal to bring other criminals to justice.”
The source added that the service would sustain its operations against illegal arms trafficking.
“The DSS will continue to leverage on actionable intelligence and sustained tactical operations to identify, identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the illegal arms trade and bring them to justice,” the source said.
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