Zamfara: DSS, military intercept arms shipment from Niger Republic

Security operatives in Zamfara State have intercepted a large arms shipment smuggled from Niger Republic to the state.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and troops of Operation Fansan Yamma.

Sophisticated weapons meant for notorious bandit leaders were seized, disrupting a major supply chain for armed criminal groups in the region.

The arms courier, identified as Abubakar Umar, also known as Dangada, was trailed from the Niger Republic to the Kaura Namoda-Zurmi Road, where he abandoned his vehicle after sustaining gunshot wounds while attempting to escape.

It was learnt that Umar was tasked with delivering the munitions to Birnin Magaji Local Government Area for onward distribution to key bandit leaders, including Kachallah Atta, Alhaji Shinge, Alhaji Nashama, and a certain Zaki.

Inside the courier’s abandoned red Volkswagen Golf station wagon (RBC 731 GU), security operatives discovered seven AK-47 rifles, two PKT general-purpose machine guns (GPMG), two AK-103 rifles, 169 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, nine PKT rounds with a chain, and 13 empty magazines.

Reacting to the development, Dauda Lawal, Zamfara State governor, inspected the seized arms in Gusau, the state capital, on Tuesday night.

He commended the DSS for its intelligence-sharing efforts, which he said were instrumental in the successful operation.

The governor also praised the military’s swift response, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between security agencies in combating terrorism and organized crime in Zamfara and beyond.

Lawal further expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support of security operations in the state.

He assured that his administration would remain committed to assisting security agencies in their fight against criminals.

The DSS and the military have vowed to sustain their crackdown on arms smuggling networks and banditry in Zamfara, promising to hunt down those behind the illegal weapons trade.