The Department of State Services (DSS) has foiled a major arms-smuggling operation linked to suspected terrorist networks, intercepting a large consignment of weapons and ammunition allegedly brought into Nigeria from the Niger Republic.
The operation, carried out by DSS operatives in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, led to the recovery of 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines.
The interception comes amid heightened security surveillance ahead of the 2027 general elections, as intelligence agencies intensify efforts to prevent the movement of illegal weapons into the country and forestall possible attacks by armed groups.
A security source disclosed that the latest operation was part of sustained intelligence-driven efforts by the DSS to dismantle arms-smuggling networks and disrupt the supply chains sustaining terrorism and banditry across the country.
The source said suspected criminal networks had increasingly resorted to using women and animals, particularly camels, to transport weapons and ammunition in an attempt to evade security surveillance.
In a related development, DSS operatives earlier arrested a suspected female arms courier, Hafsat Umar, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Umar was reportedly found with 12 grenades and two ammunition belts. Intelligence gathered by the Service allegedly indicated that she had travelled to Niger State to source ammunition for delivery to a notorious bandit leader, Saidu Marafa, based in Kani Kawa, Maradun LGA of Zamfara State.
Her arrest brings to 14 the number of suspected female illegal arms couriers reportedly apprehended by the DSS between February 2025 and November 2026.
The arrests, according to the source, were recorded across Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau states.
Among the notable operations was the arrest of Aisha Mohammed in Keffi, Nasarawa State, last month. She was allegedly conveying 202 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition and three empty AK-47 magazines through an arms dealer and suspected kidnapper identified as Sani.
In September 2026, two other suspected female 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).
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The suspected recipients were identified as Chinonso Amobi Okafor, also known as Temple, and another commander known as B44, reportedly operating in Anambra State. Fourteen wraps of improvised explosive device detonators were recovered during the operation.
Similarly, in August, DSS operatives arrested Rabiatu Halidu along Abacha Road, Katu LGA of Nasarawa State, with 501 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
In February, another suspect, Aisha Ibrahim, was arrested in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State with 975 rounds of ammunition.
Earlier, in January, Sakina Muhammad and Badariyya Abubakar were arrested along the Wukari-Jalingo Road in Taraba State with an AK-47 rifle, 984 rounds of special ammunition, 105 rounds of general-purpose machine gun ammunition and 14 empty AK-47 magazines.
The Service also recorded several arrests in 2025, including that of Rahane Sanusi in Talata Mafara LGA of Zamfara State. She was allegedly caught transporting ammunition sourced from an illegal arms dealer in Sokoto State to a notorious bandit leader, Ibrahim Bare, popularly known as Baba, in Anka LGA.
Other suspected female couriers arrested during the period included Suwaiba Abubakar, Halima Umar, Firdausi Haruna, Saidya Ibrahim and Fatima Sani, from whom varying quantities of arms and ammunition were recovered.
Beyond the arrests and recoveries, the DSS has also secured convictions in terrorism-related cases involving female arms couriers.
Earlier this year, the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted three women — Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu and Halima Umar — and sentenced each of them to 20 years’ imprisonment following their prosecution by the Service on terrorism-related charges.
A security source said Hafsat Umar would also be charged to court, adding that the Service remained committed to using actionable intelligence to track down other individuals involved in the illegal arms trade.
“The DSS will continue to leverage actionable intelligence and sustained tactical operations to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the illegal arms trade and bring them to justice,” the source said.
