The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted a major consignment of weapons allegedly smuggled from the Niger Republic to armed bandits operating in North-West Nigeria.
The operation, carried out on November 10 at Dawakawa in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, resulted in the recovery of 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines.
According to report obtained by The News Chronicle on Wednesday night, the suspected smugglers allegedly used camels to move the weapons through remote border routes in an attempt to evade security surveillance.
The interception is believed to have disrupted a cross-border arms supply network suspected of supporting bandit activities across parts of the North-West.
Security authorities are expected to investigate the origin and destination of the weapons and trace those involved in the supply chain, including suppliers, transporters, financiers and intended recipients.
Several border and trafficking corridors across Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi states have been identified as vulnerable to illicit movement of arms and other criminal activities. These include areas around Illela, Sabon Birni, Isa, Gudu and Tangaza in Sokoto; Jibia, Kaita, Mai’Adua and Kongolam in Katsina; Zurmi and Shinkafi in Zamfara; as well as Kamba and Arewa Dandi in Kebbi.
Security challenges along some of these routes have been linked to porous borders, informal trading networks and difficult terrain, which can provide opportunities for armed groups and criminal networks to move weapons and other illicit goods.
The latest interception underscores the need for strengthened border surveillance, improved intelligence-sharing and closer coordination among security agencies.
Security experts and authorities have also stressed the importance of targeting the financiers and major suppliers behind arms-trafficking networks, rather than focusing solely on couriers and transporters.
