Police Bust Major Gun-Running Syndicate Supplying Bandits, Recover Weapons and Ammunition

T The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a notorious arms trafficking network allegedly responsible for supplying weapons to bandit groups terrorizing communities in Benue and surrounding states.

According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operation followed sustained intelligence-led investigations by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), targeting the syndicate linked to recent deadly attacks, including the Yelwata killings.

On June 21, 2025, operatives stormed a forest hideout on the border of Kardako in Nasarawa State and Yelwata in Benue State. A fierce gun battle ensued, during which the bandits fled with gunshot wounds. The police recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) from the scene.

In a related operation on July 8, 2025, police arrested a 25-year-old suspect, Abubakar Isah, along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway in Benue. He was caught with three AK-47 rifles and 1,002 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. The arrest, based on actionable intelligence, revealed that the arms were being transported to supply bandits operating across Benue State.

Further investigations traced the arms to a notorious dealer, Jacob Adikwu, based in Abinsi, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The weapons were allegedly destined for one Dan Hassan, a well-known bandit kingpin operating in Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States.

On July 12, 2025, another suspect, identified as Ibrahim alias Chelsea, was arrested. He confessed to sending ?6.5 million to Jacob Adikwu — ?6 million for the procurement of two AK-47 rifles and 2,000 rounds of live ammunition, and ?500,000 for modifying a Volkswagen vehicle to conceal the weapons for transport to Kwara State.

Acting swiftly, police operatives stormed Abinsi on July 16, 2025, and apprehended Jacob Adikwu. They recovered three AK-47 rifles, 220 rounds of ammunition, and the Volkswagen car used for smuggling. A follow-up search on July 17, 2025, led to the recovery of an additional five AK-47 rifles, one rocket launcher, and 1,000 rounds of live ammunition.

Police authorities say efforts are ongoing to apprehend Dan Hassan and other key actors behind the violent crimes plaguing the region.

Commending the operatives for their efforts, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, stated: “There will be no hiding place for those who profit from the bloodshed of innocent Nigerians.”

He urged the team to sustain their momentum in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to restore peace and security across affected regions.

“The Force remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the country,” the IGP reaffirmed.

Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects in custody will be charged to court upon completion of the process.