Renowned security analyst and counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, has revealed a major security breakthrough in Kebbi State, where operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Police Force intercepted an unregistered Toyota Carina E carrying 201 rounds of expanded ammunition cunningly concealed within iron scraps.
The operation took place at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Monday along the Kangiwa-Makera Road, leading to the arrest of two suspects, Anas Umar and Abbas Ahmed, both residents of Zauro Town in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area.
Upon interception, officers from the Birnin Kebbi Area Command of the Nigerian Police Force were swiftly mobilized to the scene. The suspects, along with the recovered ammunition and other exhibits, were immediately taken into custody for further investigation.
During interrogation, the duo reportedly admitted that they had sourced the iron scraps from Dosso Town in Niger Republic and had already sold part of their haul to a certain Suga, a resident of Gwadangaji Town in Birnin Kebbi LGA. Their confession has raised serious concerns about the possibility of a larger network involved in illicit arms smuggling.
This latest bust underscores the increasing threat of arms smuggling across Nigeria’s porous borders, particularly in the North-West, where insurgents, bandits, and criminal syndicates continue to exploit weak security gaps to transport weapons.
Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation is underway to trace the origins and intended recipients of the ammunition, with security agencies ramping up efforts to dismantle criminal supply chains operating within the region.
As the fight against arms proliferation intensifies, security experts warn that collaboration between law enforcement agencies and intelligence networks remains crucial in preventing deadly weapons from falling into the wrong hands.
With investigations still ongoing, security operatives are expected to expand their probe into the smuggling ring, potentially leading to more arrests and intelligence-led operations to crack down on illegal arms trafficking.
The swift interception of this deadly cache is a stark reminder of the security challenges Nigeria faces, but it also highlights the resilience and vigilance of the nation’s security forces in combating crime.
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