The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted a consignment of weapons allegedly smuggled from the Niger Republic to armed bandits in north-western Nigeria, recovering 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines.
According to a report by security analyst Zagazola Makama on Wednesday, the interception occurred on Tuesday, November 10, at Dawakawa in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, during an operation targeting suspected cross-border arms trafficking networks.
Security sources said the suspected smugglers were allegedly transporting the weapons on camels, exploiting remote routes and difficult terrain to evade security surveillance.
The seizure is considered a significant disruption of an alleged weapons supply network suspected of supplying armed groups in the North-West. The recovered weapons are expected to provide investigators with leads to identify the suppliers, transporters and intended recipients.
Zagazola noted that several communities along the Nigeria-Niger border have become vulnerable corridors for arms trafficking, bandit movements and other criminal activities. These include Illela, Sabon Birni, Isa, Gudu and Tangaza in Sokoto; Jibia, Kaita, Mai’Adua and Kongolam in Katsina; Zurmi and Shinkafi in Zamfara; and Kamba and Arewa Dandi in Kebbi State.
The report attributed the security challenges in these areas to porous borders, informal trading networks and difficult terrain, which criminal groups, including bandits and Lakurawa, exploit to facilitate their activities.
The development highlights the need for sustained border surveillance, intelligence-sharing and coordinated security operations to dismantle cross-border arms trafficking networks and target the financiers and suppliers behind them.
