The Department of State Services, DSS, has foiled a major terror plot by intercepting a large consignment of high-calibre weapons and ammunition smuggled into Nigeria from the Niger Republic, less than 70 days to the start of the 2027 general elections.
The weapons — 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines — were intercepted by DSS operatives in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following intensive surveillance of terror cells attempting to move the consignment into the country ahead of the polls.
A security source said the interception was part of a broader pattern: with illegal weapons increasingly seized around the country, terror groups have turned to women and beasts of burden — particularly camels — to smuggle arms across and within Nigeria’s borders.
14th Female Courier Arrested
Earlier this week, DSS operatives arrested another suspected female arms courier, Hafsat Umar, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, recovering twelve grenades and two ammunition belts. She is the 14th female suspected illegal arms courier arrested by the Service between February 2025 and November 2026.
Intelligence indicated that Umar travelled to Niger State to source ammunition for delivery to a notorious bandit leader, Saidu Marafa, based in Kani Kawa, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The arrests span Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau States.
Pattern of Arrests
Among the most notable was that of Aisha Mohammed, apprehended last month in Keffi, Nasarawa State, allegedly conveying arms and ammunition sourced through a notorious arms dealer and kidnapper known simply as Sani. Officers recovered 202 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition and three empty AK-47 magazines from her.
In September 2026, two suspected female couriers, Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba, were arrested at separate locations in Ebonyi State over their alleged involvement in the supply of weapons and explosives to commanders of the outlawed Eastern Security Network — identified as Chinonso Amobi Okafor, aka Temple, and B44, reportedly based in Anambra State. Fourteen wraps of IED detonators were recovered during the operation.
In August, the Service arrested Rabiatu Halidu on Abacha Road, Katu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, with 501 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
In February, Aisha Ibrahim was arrested in Tsafe, Zamfara State, with 975 rounds. In January, Sakina Muhammad and Badariyya Abubakar were apprehended along the Wukari–Jalingo Road in Taraba State with one AK-47 rifle, 984 rounds of special ammunition, 105 rounds of GPMG ammunition and 14 empty AK-47 magazines.
The Service also recorded several arrests in 2025, including Rahane Sanusi, caught in Talata Mafara while conveying ammunition from an illegal arms dealer in Sokoto State to a notorious bandit, Ibrahim Bare, aka Baba, in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Others arrested within the period were Suwaiba Abubakar, Halima Umar, Firdausi Haruna, Saidya Ibrahim and Fatima Sani, from whom varying quantities of arms and ammunition were recovered.
Convictions
Early this year, the Federal High Court, Abuja, convicted several women on terrorism-related charges arising from DSS arrests of female arms couriers. In two instances, three couriers — Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu and Halima Umar — were each sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment following their arraignment on terrorism-related charges.
“Like the others before her, Hafsat Umar will also be charged to court, and the DSS will use intelligence at its disposal to bring other criminals to justice,” the security source said.
“The DSS will continue to leverage actionable intelligence and sustained tactical operations to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the illegal arms trade and bring them to justice,” the source added.
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