By Suleiman Ibrahim.
Gusau, Zamfara State: In a significant blow to armed bandits operating in the North-West region, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), in collaboration with troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, have successfully intercepted a notorious arms courier, Abubakar Umar, also known as “Dangada,” while attempting to smuggle a cache of weapons into the state.
The intelligence-led operation, which spanned Monday and Tuesday, took place along the Kaura Namoda-Zurmi Road in Zamfara State. DSS intelligence had pinpointed Umar as a key figure in the illicit arms trade, tasked with transporting a consignment of munitions from Niger Republic to Birnin Magaji Local Government Area (LGA) for distribution to prominent bandit leaders, including Kachallah Atta, Alhaji Shinge, Alhaji Nashama, and a certain Zaki.
During the operation, Umar, attempting to evade capture, was wounded and fled the scene, abandoning his vehicle – a red Abuja-registered Volkswagen Golf station wagon (RBC 731 GU). A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a substantial arms cache, including:
Nine PKT rounds of ammunition, with one chain and 13 empty magazines
Governor Commends Security Agencies
Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Dauda Lawal, commended the DSS for its effective intelligence-sharing and collaboration with the Nigerian Armed Forces, which culminated in the successful seizure of the smuggled arms.
During an inspection of the recovered weapons in Gusau, the state capital, Governor Lawal expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support of security agencies, which has significantly bolstered counterterrorism efforts in the region.
“This successful operation is a testament to the commitment and dedication of our security forces,” Governor Lawal stated. “We will continue to provide them with all necessary support to ensure the safety and security of our citizens.”
Security Analysts Hail Interception
Security analysts view this interception as a significant disruption to the arms supply chain fueling banditry and terrorism in the North-West. The coordinated action by the DSS and the military underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in neutralizing threats and safeguarding national security.
“This operation sends a strong message to those involved in the illicit arms trade,” said Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim, a security expert based in Kaduna.
“Cutting off the supply of weapons is crucial in combating these criminal elements.”
Ongoing Efforts to Curb Arms Proliferation
The operation marks another victory in the ongoing efforts to curb illegal arms proliferation, which has been a major enabler of violent crimes in Nigeria. Authorities have vowed to sustain the momentum in tackling security threats across the country.
Seven AK-47 rifles
Two PKT General-Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
Two AK-103 rifles
169 rounds of 7.62x39mm caliber ammunition
