DSS Intercepts 21 AK-47 Rifles, Four Machine Guns Smuggled From Niger Republic in Sokoto

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 consignment, comprising 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines, was intercepted by DSS operatives in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following surveillance of suspected terrorist networks. The source said the operation followed intelligence gathering on suspected terror cells seeking to move weapons into the country. It comes less than 70 days before the 2027 general elections.

The source added that increased interceptions have 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. She was allegedly found with 12 grenades and two ammunition belts, and 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 have been recorded across Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau states. Cases cited include:

• Aisha Mohammed (Keffi, Nasarawa, last month): 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.
• Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba (Ebonyi, September 2026): arrested at separate locations over alleged involvement in supplying weapons and explosives to commanders of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN), identified as Chinonso Amobi Okafor, also known as Temple, and B44, reportedly based in Anambra State. Fourteen wraps of improvised explosive device (IED) detonators were recovered.
• Rabiatu Halidu (Katu, Nasarawa, August): arrested on Abacha Road with 501 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
• Aisha Ibrahim (Tsafe, Zamfara, February): arrested with 975 rounds of ammunition.
• Sakina Muhammad and Badariyya Abubakar (Wukari-Jalingo Road, Taraba, January): 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 Rahane Sanusi in Talata Mafara, Zamfara State, who 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. Others arrested during the period included Suwaiba Abubakar, Halima Umar, Firdausi Haruna, Saidya Ibrahim and Fatima Sani, with varying quantities of arms and ammunition reportedly recovered from them.

The DSS has also recorded convictions in terrorism-related cases involving female couriers. The Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three women, Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu and Halima Umar, to 20 years' imprisonment each.

The source said Hafsat Umar would also be charged to court. "Like the others before her, 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 said, adding that the service would sustain its operations against illegal arms trafficking.