Police bust arms syndicate terrorizing N’central states, recover weapons
In a major breakthrough in the fight against banditry in Nigeria’s North-Central region, the Nigeria Police Force has intercepted a notorious arms syndicate believed to be responsible for supplying weapons to criminal gangs terrorizing communities in Benue and neighboring states.
The Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) launched a series of tactical operations that led to the arrest of multiple suspects, the recovery of high-caliber weapons, and the disruption of an active arms supply network.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operations were part of ongoing investigations into the deadly attacks on Yelwata and other communities in Benue State.
On June 21, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, FID-IRT operatives raided a forest hideout at the boundary between Kardako in Nasarawa State and Yelwata in Benue. The officers were met with heavy resistance, resulting in a fierce gun duel. Though the suspects managed to flee with gunshot injuries, the police recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) from the location.
Read Also:
Subsequently, on July 8, the operatives intercepted a 25-year-old suspect, Abubakar Isah, along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway in Benue State. He was caught in possession of three AK-47 rifles and 1,002 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. Investigations revealed that the arms were supplied by a known arms dealer, Jacob Adikwu, operating out of Abinsi in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The weapons were reportedly intended for delivery to Dan Hassan, a bandit kingpin linked to attacks across Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States.
The syndicate’s operations extended further. On July 12, another suspect, identified as Ibrahim a.k.a Chelsea, was arrested. He confessed to sending N6.5 million to Adikwu—N6 million for the purchase of two AK-47 rifles and 2,000 rounds of live ammunition, and N500,000 to construct a secret compartment in a Volkswagen vehicle for transporting the weapons to Kwara State.
In a follow-up operation, police operatives stormed Abinsi on July 16 and apprehended the arms dealer, Jacob Adikwu. They recovered three more AK-47 rifles, 220 rounds of live ammunition, and a Volkswagen vehicle. A further search of his premises the next day led to the recovery of an additional five AK-47 rifles, one rocket launcher, and 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
Efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend Dan Hassan and other criminal masterminds linked to the arms network and the recent spate of violence in the region. Those in custody will face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, commended the FID-IRT operatives for their “doggedness and patriotism.” He assured Nigerians that there would be no hiding place for those profiting from bloodshed, while also reaffirming the Police Force’s commitment to restoring peace as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The operations are a strong message to arms traffickers and their collaborators that their days are numbered,” the IGP stated.
The police urge residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, assuring them that every effort is being made to dismantle criminal networks threatening national security.
By PRNigeria
