Police arrests arms Trafficking Suspects With large Weapons in Nasarawa

By David Odama

The Nasarawa State Police Command, under the decisive leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against illegal arms trafficking.

The police command through a credible intelligence, intercepted two suspected gunrunners traveling through Lafia in possession of a large cache of high-grade firearms and ammunition en route to Ilorin, Kwara state

The commands public Relations officer, SP Ranham Nansel in a statement in Lafia, said on June 4, 2025, at about 0309hrs acting on credible, actionable swiftly deployed Anti-Kidnapping Unit, an intense and meticulously executed operation led to the arrest of the following suspects:

“Lawal Sani, male, 40 years old, a commercial bus driver from Makwalla area, Funtua LGA, Katsina State. Dahiru Abdullahi, male, 75 years old, a cattle trader from Angwan Dosa, Kaduna North LGA, Kaduna State, known to operate within Keffi Cattle Market, Nasarawa State were apprehended by our operatives with the large weapons.

“Items Seized Include: General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 3AK-47 rifles,1 TAB 06 rifle 1,096 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition,
20 rounds of 7.62mm NATO calibre ammunition
4 empty magazines, 1 Toyota Hiace bus, grey in color, registration number AAA 926 XL”.

The statement added that the suspects have confessed to being paid ₦500,000 to transport the weapons from Benue to Kwara State—a transaction that could have armed multiple criminal networks.

“The suspects have been taken into custody, and a full-scale investigation is currently on to uncover the network behind this operation.

The statement added that the Commissioner of police further stressed that the operation was a resounding message to all criminal element in Nasarawa State that the area is not a safe corridor for crime.

“We remain unshaken in our resolve to dismantle illegal arms networks and protect the lives of innocent Nigerians. We call on the public to stay alert and continue reporting suspicious movements through the official hotlines: 08112692680, 08032564469, 08036157659, 08037461715, 07032532391 and assures continued, decisive action against threats to peace and unity of the state.