Isiyaku Ahmed
In a breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into recent deadly bandit attacks in Benue State, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have intercepted and dismantled a notorious arms trafficking network responsible for supplying weapons to violent criminal groups across the North-Central region.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the Force spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operations carried out by the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) were based on credible intelligence tracing arms movement and supply to bandit groups behind attacks in Benue and neighboring states.
On June 21, 2025, FID-IRT operatives stormed a bandit hideout located in a forest between Kardako in Nasarawa State and Yelwata in Benue State.
The operation resulted in a fierce gun battle, forcing the bandits to flee with gunshot wounds. Two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) were recovered from the site.
In a follow-up operation on July 8, 2025, police arrested 25-year-old Abubakar Isah along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway.
He was found in possession of three AK-47 rifles and 1,002 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Intelligence indicated the weapons were being transported for distribution to known bandit groups terrorizing communities in Benue State.
Subsequent investigation identified a key arms supplier, Jacob Adikwu, operating from Abinsi in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
He was reportedly preparing to deliver the arms to a notorious bandit leader, Dan Hassan, believed to be behind several violent attacks in Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States.
On July 12, 2025, another suspect, identified as Ibrahim a.k.a. “Chelsea,” was arrested. He confessed to sending N6.5 million to Jacob Adikwu, N6 million as payment for two AK-47 rifles and 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and N500,000 for modifying a Volkswagen vehicle to conceal the arms during transportation to Kwara State.
Acting swiftly on this intelligence, FID-IRT operatives launched a clearance operation in Abinsi on July 16, 2025, successfully arresting Adikwu and recovering three AK-47 rifles, 220 rounds of ammunition, and the Volkswagen vehicle used for smuggling arms.
The following day, an extended search led to the recovery of an additional five AK-47 rifles, one rocket launcher, and 1,000 more rounds of live ammunition.
Efforts are ongoing to track down Dan Hassan and other high-profile bandit leaders, while suspects in custody will face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, praised the operatives for their resilience and effectiveness.
He reaffirmed the Police Force’s commitment to flushing out criminal elements and restoring peace, as directed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“There will be no hiding place for those who profit from the bloodshed of innocent Nigerians,” the IGP declared, urging officers to sustain momentum in the fight against insecurity across the country.
