DSS, Army Intercept Ammunition Shipment, Arrest Female Courier in Kano

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Brigade, working alongside operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have arrested a suspected gunrunner in Kano State while allegedly transporting a large quantity of ammunition believed to be destined for bandits in Zamfara State.

Security sources disclosed that the suspect, identified as a female courier, was apprehended around 3:00 a.m. on Saturday following intelligence reports on the movement of illegal arms and ammunition through Kano.

The woman was intercepted while allegedly conveying 884 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition from Plateau State to Zamfara State through Kano. She was reportedly travelling with her 10-year-old daughter at the time of the arrest.

Preliminary findings suggest that the suspect had been recruited by criminal elements to deliver the ammunition to Zamfara, a state heavily impacted by banditry and armed attacks.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to receiving ₦50,000 as an advance payment for the delivery and was promised additional compensation upon successful completion of the assignment.

Security sources further indicated that the suspect admitted to carrying out similar deliveries on two previous occasions.

“The arrest followed actionable intelligence regarding the movement of ammunition through Kano. During the operation, 884 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered from the suspect,” a security source said.

The incident underscores the growing tactic by criminal networks to deploy civilian couriers in the trafficking of arms across Nigeria’s North-West and North-Central regions.

Investigators also noted that major transit centres such as Kano have increasingly been used as key routes for transporting ammunition to bandit groups operating in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, and other neighbouring states.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect and the recovered ammunition have been handed over to the DSS for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Efforts are currently underway to trace the wider network behind the illegal arms supply chain and identify other individuals linked to the operation.