Troops intercept female courier with 884 rounds of ammunition in Kano, foil supply to bandits

Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected gunrunner in Kano while transporting a large cache of ammunition allegedly destined for bandits.

Security sources disclosed that the suspect, a female courier, was apprehended around 3 a.m. on Saturday following credible intelligence on the movement of illegal arms and ammunition through the state.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert focusing on Lake Chad region security, the woman was intercepted while conveying 884 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition believed to be headed for bandits operating in Zamfara State from Plateau State.

The suspect was reportedly travelling with her 10-year-old daughter at the time of the arrest.

Preliminary investigations revealed that she had been contracted to transport the ammunition to Zamfara. During interrogation, she allegedly confessed to receiving ₦50,000 as an advance payment for the delivery and was promised additional payment upon successful completion of the mission.

Security sources further disclosed that the suspect admitted to carrying out similar assignments on two previous occasions.

“The suspect was intercepted following actionable intelligence regarding the movement of ammunition through Kano. A total of 884 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered during the operation,” a security source said.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect and the recovered ammunition have been handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.

They added that investigations are ongoing to uncover the wider network behind the ammunition supply chain and identify other collaborators involved in the illegal arms trafficking operation.