Troops arrest high-profile arms trafficker linked to interstate weapons network

Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have arrested a suspected high-profile arms trafficker linked to an interstate illegal weapons network.

The arrest followed credible intelligence on the movement of illicit arms across states as troops of Sector 6, in collaboration with Headquarters Operation ENDURING PEACE, executed a coordinated, intelligence-led operation on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

In a statement on its social media platform (WhatsApp), the operation said the suspect, travelling in a white Peugeot vehicle from Jos South towards the Makera axis in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, was identified, placed under surveillance, and intercepted at a military checkpoint in Makera.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two locally fabricated pistols, 167 rounds of 9mm ammunition, three cans of pepper spray, a jackknife, two mobile phones, two cutlasses, a police staff tag, photographs of the suspect in police uniform, two ATM cards, a National Identification Number (NIN) card, and cash amounting to N73,300.

Findings revealed that the suspect, Inspector Danjuma Yusuf, formerly of Nigeria Police Force Base 7, Abuja, was dismissed from service and is a key figure in an interstate arms-trafficking syndicate allegedly supplying weapons to criminal elements involved in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.

The statement reiterated that the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, remains committed to safeguarding lives and property while sustaining offensive operations against all threats to national security. It urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support efforts aimed at dismantling criminal networks and restoring lasting peace.