Nigeria’s police authorities have recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against organised crime, following the arrest of nine suspects linked to gunrunning, drug trafficking, and related offences across multiple states.
The arrests, carried out by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), were the outcome of coordinated intelligence-led operations targeting criminal supply networks, police officials disclosed on Tuesday.
Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the operations not only disrupted illicit arms and drug channels but also led to the rescue of kidnapped victims during several raids.
“This operation was designed to choke the flow of illegal weapons and narcotics into criminal hands,” Hundeyin said.
“Our intelligence teams worked across locations to ensure these suspects were taken off the streets.”
Recovered items included a cache of high-powered firearms such as seven AK-47 rifles, three pump-action rifles, two Beretta pistols, and several locally fabricated weapons, alongside assorted ammunition and magazines.
In addition to the arms haul, police operatives recovered large quantities of illicit substances, including Indian hemp, codeine syrup, tramadol, and other controlled pharmaceuticals believed to be destined for criminal networks.
One of the key arrests followed intelligence gathering in Adamawa State, where a suspected gunrunner was intercepted while allegedly attempting to move weapons to a border community near Cameroon.
Investigators said the suspect had operated within cross-border arms routes for more than a year.
“Evidence suggests the weapons were meant for onward delivery beyond Nigerian territory,” Hundeyin said, adding that efforts are ongoing to track suppliers and collaborators.
Further investigation led to the arrest of two additional suspects described as long-standing arms dealers, one of whom allegedly fabricates firearms while the other coordinates distribution.
According to police findings, both suspects had reportedly supplied weapons within Adamawa State and border communities for over five years before their arrest.
Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, IRT operatives, working with the Department of State Services (DSS), intercepted a vehicle linked to drug trafficking, uncovering a large consignment of narcotics concealed during transit.
“Interrogation revealed that the suspect regularly delivers these drugs to bandits operating across Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states,” Hundeyin said.
Another suspect was also arrested while transporting 24 bags of Indian hemp from Ondo State to Abuja, after intelligence operatives tracked the movement of the consignment.
Police said the driver claimed ignorance of the contents, a defence that authorities have dismissed. “Ignorance does not excuse criminal responsibility,” Hundeyin stated, noting that investigations are underway to arrest both the sender and intended recipient.
The Nigeria Police Force said all suspects remain in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations, reaffirming its commitment to dismantling criminal supply chains nationwide.