DSS foils main terror plot, intercepts large arms cargo from Niger Republic in Sokoto

Barely three months to the 2027 common elections, the Department of State Services (DSS) has foiled a significant terror plot by intercepting a big consignment of high-calibre weapons and ammunition smuggled into the nation from Niger Republic.

The weapons, together with 21 AK-47 rifles, 4 PKT machine weapons and 825 magazines, had been intercepted solely by DSS officers in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto state, following intensive surveillance of terror cells searching for to move lethal weapons into Nigeria forward of the overall elections.

A safety supply disclosed that, given elevated interception of unlawful weapons by the DSS across the nation, terror teams have turned to girls and beasts of burden, significantly camels, to maneuver unlawful weapons into and across the nation.

Earlier within the week, DSS operatives in Talata Mafaran LGA of Zamfara state, arrested one other suspected feminine arms courier, Hafsat Umar, with 12 grenades and two ammunition belts, who’s the 14th feminine unlawful arms courier arrested by the DSS between February 2025 and November 2026.

Intelligence indicated that the suspected unlawful arms courier travelled to Niger state to supply ammunition for supply to a infamous bandit chief, Saidu Marafa, who is predicated in Kani Kawa, Maradun LGA of Zamfara state.

The arrests by the DSS span Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau states.

Notable among the many arrests was that of Aisha Mohammed, apprehended final month in Keffi, Nasarawa state, whereas allegedly conveying arms and ammunition by way of a infamous arms vendor and kidnapper merely referred to as Sani.

Recovered from Aisha had been 202 rounds of seven.62mm AK-47 ammunition and three empty AK-47 magazines.

In September, 2026, two feminine couriers, Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba, had been arrested at separate places in Ebonyi state over their alleged involvement within the provide of weapons and explosives to commanders of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The commanders embody Chinonso Amobi Okafor, aka Temple, and B44, reportedly primarily based in Anambra state. This is as14 wraps of IED detonators, had been recovered throughout the operation.

In August, DSS arrested one Rabiatu Halidu, on Abacha Road, Katu LGA of Nasarawa state with 501 rounds of seven.62mm ammunition.

In February, DSS officers arrested one Aisha Ibrahim in Tsafe, LGA of Zamfara state, with 975 rounds of ammunition.

Arested in January had been Sakina Muhammad and Badariyya Abubakar, alongside Wukari-Jalingo Road, Taraba state, with one AK-47 rifle, 984 rounds of particular ammunition, 105 rounds of GPMG ammunition and 14 empty AK-47 magazines.

The Service additionally recorded a number of arrests in 2025, together with Rahane Sanusi, in Talatan Mafara LGA of Zamfara state. She was caught whereas conveying ammunition from an unlawful arms vendor in Sokoto State to a infamous bandit, Ibrahim Bare, aka Baba, in Anka LGA of the state .

Also arrested throughout the interval was Suwaiba Abubakar, Halima Umar, Firdausi Haruna, Saidya Ibrahim and Fatima Sani, with various portions of arms and ammunition recovered from them.

Earlier within the 12 months, the Federal High Court, Abuja, convicted some girls for terrorism-related circumstances involving feminine arms couriers arrested by the DSS.

In two situations, three feminine couriers, recognized as Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu and Halima Umar, had been convicted and sentenced to twenty years in jail every following their arraignment on terrorism-related expenses by the DSS.

“Like the others before her,” famous a safety supply, “Hafsat Umar will also be charged to court, and the DSS will use intelligence at their disposal to bring other criminals to justice.”

Continued the supply, “The DSS will continue to leverage on actionable intelligence and sustained tactical operations to identify, and apprehend all individuals involved in the illegal arms trade and bring them to justice.”