The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a 75-year-old suspected arms trafficker, Dahiru Abdullahi, alongside one Lawal Sani, 40, for allegedly smuggling a large cache of firearms and ammunition from Benue to Kwara State.

According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, the arrest, which followed credible and actionable intelligence, was carried out by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in a coordinated operation in Lafia, the state capital.

Nansel confirmed the arrest and provided details of the seizure, stating that the two suspects, Abdullahi, a cattle trader from Kaduna State, and Sani, a commercial bus driver from Katsina were intercepted while transporting the weapons in a grey Toyota Hiace bus with registration number AAA 926 XL.

Items recovered from the vehicle include: 1 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 3 AK-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.

The suspects allegedly confessed to being paid N500,000 to transport the weapons to Ilorin, Kwara State—an operation believed to be linked to arming criminal syndicates across the region.

“This arrest sends a clear message that Nasarawa State will not be used as a corridor for criminal activity.

“We remain resolute in our mission to dismantle illegal arms networks and safeguard the lives and property of our citizens.” said Commissioner of Police Shetima Jauro Mohammed

The Command has launched a full-scale investigation to identify and arrest other members of the trafficking network.

The command also called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity using the official hotlines: 08112692680, 08032564469, 08036157659, and 07032532391.

Nigerian forces have neutralised at least 45 armed bandits near Kuchi town in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State following a coordinated security operation.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region, made this known in a post on his X account on Wednesday.

According to the report, Makama disclosed that the operation was jointly executed by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and military tactical units in the early hours of Monday.

Makama stated that the bandits were believed to be loyal to notorious terrorist Dogo Gide, adding that the terrorists were en route to launch coordinated attacks on communities around Kuchi before they were intercepted.

“The insurgents, estimated to be over 100 in number, had mobilised from Bilbis Forest in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara and other hideouts in Kaduna State,” Makama said, citing a source who requested anonymity.

He added that the security forces engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle at the outskirts of Kuchi, resulting in the elimination of no fewer than 45 of the assailants, with several others escaping with gunshot wounds.

The operation also led to the recovery of multiple motorcycles, arms, and ammunition.

However, five DSS operatives sustained injuries during the exchange and are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved immediate release of N2bn to begin the reconstruction of homes destroyed by the recent devastating flood in Mokwa, Niger State.

This was made known by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday during his tour of the affected communities in Mokwa town, Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.

While consoling the victims, Shettima assured them that the federal government would work on their concerns.

“The president specifically instructed me to come to Mokwa to commiserate with the people over the tragedy that befell the town. His heart is with the grieving people of Mokwa.

“All issues raised will be addressed by the federal government in collaboration with the Niger government,” he said.

Shettima added that President Tinubu had also directed that the Ministers of Environment and State for Agriculture relocate temporarily to Niger State to ensure speedy intervention of issues under the ACRSAL project, especially on the flood drainage matters in the town.

Besides approving the funds for reconstruction, Tinubu assured of donating 20 trucks containing food items to be shared with the real victims of the disaster in an arrangement to be worked out with the village head of Mokwa.

The Vice President also praised the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr. Yakubu Garba, and the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for their prompt and continued action to support the victims.