Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Katsina, Nigeria — The Katsina State Police Command has arrested two suspected gunrunners and recovered a significant cache of ammunition during an intelligence‑led operation along the Zaria–Funtua highway, security authorities confirmed.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abubakar Sadiq, the suspects were intercepted on January 27, 2026, at about 2:00 p.m. while riding a motorcycle on the busy highway, which links northern and southern routes and is frequently used by commercial and private travellers.
Upon stopping and searching the pair, officers found six AK‑47 magazines and 305 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition concealed on the motorbike. The quantity and concealment method suggest the consignment was being transported covertly, raising concerns about the supply of illegal arms into criminal networks operating across the region.
Police said preliminary investigations suggest that the suspected gunrunners may have sourced the ammunition from outside the state, possibly from Jos in Plateau State, and were transporting it toward criminal elements or armed groups in Katsina and neighbouring areas. The suspects and the recovered exhibits are currently in custody as the command continues to investigate their network and determine the intended destination and recipients of the munitions.
The arrest is part of intensified policing efforts ordered by the Inspector‑General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, aimed at enhancing security along major highways and disrupting the flow of illegal arms and ammunition that fuel violent crimes including banditry, armed robbery and kidnapping.
Commissioner of Police Bello Shehu commended the operatives for the successful operation and emphasised the importance of public cooperation in combating crime. He urged motorists and residents along major routes to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies to support continued efforts to curb arms trafficking and criminal violence in Katsina State.
Analysts say that recovering large quantities of ammunition before it reaches armed criminals helps reduce the capacity of criminal gangs to sustain violent operations, and highlights the role of intelligence‑driven policing in Nigeria’s broader security strategy.
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