In a significant victory against armed banditry plaguing North-Central Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force has successfully dismantled a notorious arms trafficking network.
This ring was responsible for supplying deadly weapons to criminal gangs terrorizing communities in Benue State and surrounding regions.
According to a statement from Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) conducted a series of coordinated operations between June 21 and July 17, 2025.
These efforts led to multiple arrests and the recovery of a substantial cache of sophisticated arms and ammunition in Benue and Nasarawa States.
The crackdown began on June 21, when FID-IRT operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided a bandit hideout in a forest area spanning Kardako, Nasarawa State, and Yelwata, Benue State—a location linked to recent deadly attacks.
The operation resulted in a fierce gunfight, forcing the bandits to flee with injuries. Authorities recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) from the scene.
A separate operation on July 8, 2025, saw police intercept 25-year-old Abubakar Isah along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway. Isah was found with three AK-47 rifles and 1,002 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Intelligence indicated these weapons were destined for bandit groups operating in Benue State.
Further investigations revealed a connection to Jacob Adikwu, a notorious arms dealer based in Abinsi, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
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The recovered weapons were reportedly intended for Dan Hassan, a wanted bandit kingpin active across Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States.
On July 12, operatives apprehended a suspect identified as Ibrahim a.k.a. Chelsea, who confessed to transferring ₦6.5 million to Adikwu. This payment was for two AK-47 rifles, 2,000 rounds of live ammunition, and a vehicle compartment specially designed for weapon transport to Kwara State.
A follow-up operation in Abinsi town on July 16 led to the successful arrest of Jacob Adikwu. Police recovered three AK-47 rifles, 220 rounds of live ammunition, and a Volkswagen car from his hideout.
The investigation intensified, leading to an even more significant discovery on July 17. A further search of the arms dealer’s cache uncovered five additional AK-47 rifles, a rocket launcher, and 1,000 rounds of live ammunition.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun lauded the operatives for their “doggedness and professionalism,” affirming that there would be “no hiding place for those arming criminals and profiting from bloodshed.”
The IGP reaffirmed the Force’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace in Benue and other affected areas, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to end insecurity and safeguard Nigerian lives.
“The Nigerian Police Force remains unrelenting in its mission to dismantle all terror networks and hold perpetrators accountable,” the IGP stated.
Police confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend Dan Hassan and other fugitives linked to the arms ring. Suspects currently in custody will face prosecution once investigations are concluded.
