Security agents in Zamfara State have intercepted a suspected arms trafficker in Gusau after uncovering a sophisticated attempt to transport deadly weapons hidden inside a consignment of dried fish.
The arrest, officials say, marks a major breakthrough in the fight against the illegal flow of weapons fueling violence in the North-West.
According to credible security sources, the suspect was nabbed during a covert intelligence-led operation that tracked suspicious movement of arms through the state capital.
The operation, which was executed quietly to avoid alerting accomplices, led to the discovery of a large cache of rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), AK-47 rifles, and several rounds of live ammunition.
Investigations revealed that the deadly cargo was destined for Dansadau, a community that has witnessed repeated bandit attacks in recent months.
The suspect was reportedly attempting to move the weapons into the area when operatives swooped in.
One senior officer familiar with the operation told reporters that the arms were likely smuggled in from the Lake Chad region, a corridor long exploited by armed groups and cross-border traffickers.
“Our findings so far show that these weapons are part of a larger network of illegal arms coming through foreign borders into the Northwest,” the officer said.
He added that the suspect is currently undergoing interrogation to identify his sponsors and collaborators.
“This arrest is a clear signal that the days of unchallenged arms trafficking in Zamfara are over,” he said, adding that more operations are underway to dismantle the syndicate.
Meanwhile, security analysts have praised the swift response of the operatives, noting that such seizures are crucial in curbing the spread of sophisticated weapons among terrorist and bandit cells across the region.
The suspect and the seized weapons have been handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution.