Benue arms bust: police arrest major gun runners, recover GPMGs, rocket launcher, 12 AK47s, over 2,000 rounds
By: Zagazola Makama
A major arms smuggling network supplying deadly weapons to bandit groups in Benue and neighbouring states has been dismantled by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, resulting in the recovery of a cache of high-grade weapons including general-purpose machine guns (GPMGs), a rocket launcher, 12 AK-47 rifles, and over 2,200 rounds of live ammunition.
Zagazola Makama reports that the breakthrough follows an ongoing investigation into the deadly attacks on communities in the Yelwata axis of Benue State, with police operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID–IRT) executing a series of coordinated raids and tactical interceptions between June 21 and July 17.
In the first operation on June 21, operatives stormed a forest at the boundary between Kardako in Nasarawa State and Yelwata in Benue State, targeting a hideout used by bandits believed to be behind the recent killings. A fierce gun battle ensued, forcing the criminals to flee with gunshot injuries. Two GPMGs were recovered from the scene.
Further intelligence led to the July 8 arrest of a suspected arms courier, Abubakar Isah, 25, along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway in Benue. He was caught in possession of three AK-47 rifles and 1,002 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. Investigations revealed that the consignment was meant for delivery to Dan Hassan, a notorious bandit kingpin operating across Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States.
The suspect reportedly sourced the weapons from one Jacob Adikwu, a well-known arms dealer operating out of Abinsi, Guma LGA of Benue.
Police also arrested another suspect, Ibrahim, alias “Chelsea,” on July 12. He confessed to paying Adikwu ₦6.5 million—₦6 million for two AK-47 rifles and 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and ₦500,000 to modify a Volkswagen car with secret compartments to transport the weapons to Kwara State.
A follow-up raid on July 16 led to the arrest of Adikwu in Abinsi. Police recovered three AK-47 rifles, 220 rounds of ammunition and the modified Volkswagen car from his hideout.
The following day, operatives recovered five additional AK-47 rifles, one rocket launcher, and 1,000 rounds of live ammunition marking one of the largest illegal arms seizures in the region in recent months.
Police say efforts are ongoing to arrest Dan Hassan and other members of the network.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, hailed the operatives for their “doggedness and professionalism” and reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to breaking the supply chain of criminal violence in the country.
“There will be no hiding place for those who profit from the bloodshed of innocent Nigerians,” Egbetokun said.
He urged sustained efforts to restore peace in the region in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to crush criminal elements threatening national stability.
