Troops of Sector 7 operating in Kaduna State have intercepted suspected arms traffickers and recovered seven illegal firearms during a security operation in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arrested on Monday during a targeted stop-and-search exercise at the Samaru checkpoint following intelligence reports on the movement of illicit weapons allegedly destined for criminal groups.
Security sources disclosed that the operation was conducted at about 9:40 a.m. after troops received credible intelligence indicating that suspected arms dealers were transporting a cache of weapons from Jos, Plateau State, to Niger State.
Acting on the intelligence, military personnel mounted surveillance and intensified checks at strategic locations along the route before identifying and intercepting an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz vehicle suspected to be conveying the weapons.
The vehicle was subsequently stopped at the Samaru checkpoint in Zangon Kataf, where troops carried out a search and recovered seven illegal firearms concealed inside the car.
The suspects were immediately taken into custody for further interrogation, while the recovered weapons were secured as exhibits for ongoing investigations.
Military sources said preliminary findings suggest the firearms were being transported for supply to criminal elements operating in parts of the North-West and North-Central regions, where security forces have intensified operations against bandits and other armed groups.
The arrest is the latest in a series of efforts by security agencies to disrupt illegal arms trafficking networks and prevent the proliferation of weapons fueling insecurity across the country.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the suspected trafficking syndicate and unravel the network behind the movement of illegal arms.
The military reiterated its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at curbing arms smuggling and denying criminal groups access to weapons used in violent attacks and other unlawful activities.
