*ecover 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns in Sokoto

The Department Of State Security Service (DSS) have intercepted a large consignment of weapons and ammunition allegedly being smuggled from the Niger Republic to armed bandits operating in north-western Nigeria.

The interception, which took place on Tuesday, November 10, at Dawakawa in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, followed a security operation targeting suspected weapons trafficking networks across the Nigeria-Niger border.

Security sources said the suspected smugglers were allegedly attempting to transport the weapons into Nigeria using camels, apparently exploiting remote routes and difficult terrain to evade security surveillance.

The operation led to the recovery of 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines.

The interception represents a significant disruption of an alleged cross-border weapons supply network suspected of facilitating the operations of armed bandit groups in the North-West.

The use of camels to transport the weapons highlights the increasingly unconventional methods employed by criminal networks to move arms and ammunition across porous border corridors.

The development also underscores the importance of sustained intelligence surveillance coordinated border security operations in preventing the movement of illicit weapons from neighbouring countries into Nigeria.

The recovered weapons are expected to provide security agencies with valuable leads towards identifying the suppliers, transporters and intended recipients of the consignment.

Zagazola report that several border communities along the Nigeria–Niger Republic frontier have emerged as vulnerable corridors for cross-border arms trafficking, bandit movements and other criminal activities, raising concerns over the security of Nigeria’s North-West.

The affected areas include Illela, Sabon Birni, Isa, Gudu and Tangaza in Sokoto State; Jibia, Kaita, Mai’Adua and Kongolam in Katsina; Zurmi and Shinkafi in Zamfara; as well as Kamba and Arewa Dandi in Kebbi State.

Security concerns around these border regions are linked to porous boundaries, informal trading networks and difficult-to-monitor rural terrain, which criminal networks like Bandits, Lakurawa and Boko Haram exploit for illicit activities.

The development reinforces the need for enhanced border surveillance, intelligence-sharing and coordinated operations to dismantle cross-border weapons supply networks.

Security agencies must also target the financiers and suppliers behind the trafficking networks rather than focusing solely on couriers. (Zagazola)