Operatives of the Department of State Services in Kano State have arrested a 30-year-old transporter, Muhammad Abubakar, over alleged movement of firearms across parts of northern Nigeria. The arrest was carried out in the Gezawa Local Government Area following an intelligence-led operation, according to a statement attributed to the DSS.
According to the statement, the suspect was intercepted while transporting four rocket-propelled grenade tubes, three AK-47 rifles, and two empty magazines.
The DSS stated that intelligence indicated the weapons were being moved towards Funtua in Katsina State, and operatives tracked and apprehended the suspect during the operation.
During preliminary questioning, Abubakar said he received the weapons from an individual identified as Bello in the Maigatari area of Jigawa State.
He stated that he was instructed to deliver the items to Funtua and that he was promised payment for the transportation.
The transporter, who said he is from Mokwa in Niger State, told investigators that he normally works in commercial transport operations along northern routes.
He added that this was his first involvement in transporting firearms and that he was contacted by an individual he did not personally know.
Abubakar also stated that he was promised a payment of 450,000 naira upon successful delivery of the items.
He said he was apprehended while en route to Funtua before the delivery could be completed.
The DSS said the suspect will be prosecuted and that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other individuals connected to the case.
Security officials said the items recovered from the suspect included four rocket-propelled grenade tubes, three AK-47 rifles, and two empty magazines, which were listed during the briefing by the DSS.
The DSS noted that the arrest followed intelligence gathering which led operatives to monitor the movement of the suspect before he was intercepted in the Gezawa area.
According to officials, the suspect was arrested during transit after surveillance efforts indicated he was conveying the weapons towards another location named as Funtua.
The agency stated that the suspect claimed to have collected the firearms from a contact identified as Bello in Maigatari, Jigawa State, for onward delivery.
He further stated that the delivery arrangement involved transporting the items to an unidentified recipient in Funtua, according to the DSS account of his statement.
The DSS said Abubakar explained that he operates as a transporter along routes linking several northern cities, including Mokwa, Kano, and Abuja.
He told investigators that he was persuaded to carry the items after repeated contact from an individual he said he did not previously know.
Officials said the suspect indicated that he was offered 450,000 naira for completing the delivery of the weapons consignment.
The DSS confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody following the interception and remains in detention pending further legal proceedings.
Authorities said the interception was carried out as part of a routine security response based on actionable intelligence received by operatives.
The DSS stated that the recovered weapons were documented as part of the exhibits taken into custody during the operation in Kano.
Officials reiterated that the suspect’s statements were recorded during preliminary interrogation conducted after his arrest in the Gezawa area.
The agency said investigations are ongoing to determine whether additional individuals were involved in the movement of the weapons.
According to the DSS, further inquiries are being conducted in relation to the contact identified as Bello in Jigawa State.
The suspect was presented to journalists by DSS officials at the state command in Kano following his arrest.
Officials said the presentation formed part of standard procedure to brief the public on significant security interceptions.
The DSS maintained that it will continue to act on intelligence reports aimed at preventing illegal movement of arms.
The agency also stated that collaboration with other security agencies remains ongoing in addressing such cases.
Officials said the suspect is expected to face prosecution after the completion of investigations into the matter.
The DSS said the arrest was achieved through coordinated surveillance and monitoring operations carried out by its operatives.
It added that the suspect was tracked along his movement route before being intercepted at the point of arrest.
The statement indicated that the recovered weapons were immediately secured by DSS operatives after the arrest was made.
Officials said the suspect’s account was taken as part of the initial investigative process following his detention.
The DSS reiterated that it remains committed to disrupting illegal arms movement across identified operational areas.
The agency said the case is being handled in accordance with established legal procedures.
The DSS confirmed that further details would be released as investigations progress.
Officials said no additional information beyond the arrest details had been confirmed at this stage.
The agency emphasized that all statements released were based on verified operational reports.
The DSS said the suspect remains in custody while legal processes continue.
Officials said the arrest is part of ongoing enforcement actions against illegal possession and movement of firearms.
The DSS noted that coordination with other security agencies is continuing in relation to the investigation.
The agency said the investigation remains open pending further findings.
Officials confirmed that the suspect was arrested without incident during the operation.
The DSS said the weapons remain in its custody as exhibits.
Officials said documentation of the seized items has been completed for investigative purposes.
The DSS reiterated that the suspect will be arraigned in court after investigations are concluded.
Officials said the agency continues to monitor related activities linked to the case.
The DSS maintained that the arrest forms part of its broader mandate to enforce laws against illegal firearms possession and movement within Nigeria. Officials said all recovered exhibits, including the rifles, grenade tubes, and magazines, remain securely stored pending further investigation and legal action. The agency added that the suspect is still in custody and that due process will be followed in handling the case through the appropriate judicial channels. Authorities reiterated that investigations are ongoing and that no further confirmed details have been released beyond the arrest and recovery of the weapons.
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