By Our Reporter
The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted a large consignment of weapons and ammunition allegedly smuggled into Nigeria from the Niger Republic and arrested a suspected female arms courier in Sokoto State.
The operation, carried out in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of the state, led to the recovery of 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines.
A security source disclosed that the interception followed sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering on suspected terrorist networks believed to be involved in moving illegal weapons into Nigeria.
The development comes less than 70 days before the 2027 general elections, amid growing security concerns over the proliferation of illegal firearms and activities of armed groups across the country.
According to the source, intensified operations by the DSS have forced criminal networks to adopt alternative methods of transporting weapons, including the use of women and beasts of burden, particularly camels.
The latest operation followed the arrest of another suspected female arms courier, identified as Hafsat Umar, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State earlier in the week.
Umar was allegedly found in possession of 12 grenades and two ammunition belts.
She is reportedly the 14th female arms courier arrested by the DSS between February 2025 and November 2026.
Intelligence findings allegedly indicated that she had travelled to Niger State to procure ammunition for delivery to a suspected bandit leader, Saidu Marafa, based in Kani Kawa, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The DSS has reportedly arrested suspected female arms couriers in Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau states.
Among the recent cases was the arrest of Aisha Mohammed in Keffi, Nasarawa State, last month.
She was allegedly found conveying 202 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition and three empty AK-47 magazines through an arms dealer and suspected kidnapper identified as Sani.
In September 2026, two other suspected couriers, Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba, were arrested at separate locations in Ebonyi State over their alleged involvement in supplying weapons and explosives to commanders of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The commanders were identified as Chinonso Amobi Okafor, popularly known as Temple, and another suspect known as B44, who were reportedly operating in Anambra State.
Fourteen wraps of improvised explosive device detonators were recovered during the operation.
In August, DSS operatives arrested Rabiatu Halidu on Abacha Road in Katu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, with 501 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Another suspect, Aisha Ibrahim, was arrested in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State in February with 975 rounds of ammunition.
Similarly, Sakina Muhammad and Badariyya Abubakar were arrested in January along the Wukari-Jalingo Road in Taraba State.
The two women were allegedly found with an AK-47 rifle, 984 rounds of special ammunition, 105 rounds of general-purpose machine gun ammunition and 14 empty AK-47 magazines.
The service also recorded several arrests in 2025, including that of Rahane Sanusi in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Sanusi was allegedly caught transporting ammunition from an illegal arms dealer in Sokoto State to a suspected bandit, Ibrahim Bare, also known as Baba, in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Other women arrested during the period included Suwaiba Abubakar, Halima Umar, Firdausi Haruna, Saidya Ibrahim and Fatima Sani, from whom varying quantities of arms and ammunition were reportedly recovered.
Meanwhile, the DSS has secured convictions in terrorism-related cases involving female arms couriers.
The Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced three women — Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu and Halima Umar — to 20 years’ imprisonment each after they were arraigned on terrorism-related charges.
The security source said Hafsat Umar would also be charged to court, adding that the service would continue to use intelligence-led operations to identify and prosecute individuals involved in illegal arms trafficking.
The source reaffirmed the DSS’s commitment to dismantling arms supply networks and bringing those responsible to justice.