The Nigerian Department of State Services (DSS) has made a significant seizure of arms and ammunition in Sokoto State, smuggled from the Niger Republic. According to a security source, operatives intercepted the haul in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area, comprising 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns, and 825 magazines. This operation comes less than 70 days before the 2027 general elections, highlighting the government's efforts to curb insecurity.
The DSS operation is part of a broader effort to disrupt terror networks and illegal arms trafficking. Intelligence gathering suggests that increased security interceptions have forced criminal groups to alter their trafficking methods, relying more on women and beasts of burden, such as camels, to move illegal arms. This shift in tactics has led to a rise in female arms couriers being arrested across various states.
One such arrest was made in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where a suspected female arms courier, Hafsat Umar, was apprehended. She was allegedly found in possession of 12 grenades and two ammunition belts. According to the security source, Ms Umar is the 14th female arms courier arrested by the service between February 2025 and November 2026.
Intelligence reports indicate that Ms Umar had travelled to source ammunition for delivery to a suspected bandit leader, Saidu Marafa, in Maradun Local Government Area. Similar arrests have been recorded across several states, including Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna, and Plateau. These arrests demonstrate the DSS's commitment to disrupting the supply of illegal arms to terrorist groups.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has previously secured convictions in related cases, sentencing three women — Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu, and Halima Umar — to 20 years’ imprisonment each on terrorism charges. A security source confirmed that Ms Umar would also face prosecution, stating that she would be charged to court and that the DSS would use intelligence at their disposal to bring other criminals to justice.
The DSS's efforts to combat illegal arms trafficking have been sustained, with the service vowing to continue its operations against those involved in the illicit trade. The use of female couriers and beasts of burden highlights the evolving tactics of criminal groups, but also underscores the vigilance and adaptability of the DSS in responding to these threats.
The interception of the arms cache in Sokoto State and the arrest of female couriers across various states demonstrate the government's commitment to addressing insecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections. The DSS's operations have dealt a significant blow to terrorist groups and those involved in the illicit arms trade, and the service is expected to continue its efforts to ensure public safety.
Key points
- The DSS has intercepted a major arms cache in Sokoto State, comprising 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns, and 825 magazines smuggled from the Niger Republic.
- The service has arrested 14 female arms couriers between February 2025 and November 2026, including Hafsat Umar in Zamfara State.
- The Federal High Court in Abuja has previously secured convictions in related cases, sentencing three women to 20 years’ imprisonment each on terrorism charges.
