Police Uncover, Nab Gun, Drug Running Syndicate Fueling Banditry
Security operatives have uncovered what police describe as extensive supply chains providing weapons and illicit drugs to bandits operating across several states, following series of coordinated arrests by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force.
The development was made public on Tuesday in Abuja during a press briefing addressed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, who said the arrests were part of ongoing intelligence-led investigations targeting the logistics behind banditry.
According to Hundeyin, two suspected arms suppliers , John Magah, 45, and Ishaya Stephen, 43 were arrested in connection with the distribution of weapons to criminal groups.
Recovered from the suspects were one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, one pump-action gun and four live cartridges.
“Operatives of the IRT, in an ongoing investigation, arrested one John Magah, aged 45, and one Ishaya Stephen, aged 43, and recovered from them one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, one pump-action gun and four live cartridges,” Hundeyin said.
Investigations revealed that Magah is a local gun fabricator who facilitates the sale of arms and ammunition to bandits.
The suspects were also linked to one Daudume Bayina, who has since been arrested.
“Investigation revealed that they supply arms to bandits and to one Daudume Bayina, who has also been arrested by operatives of the IRT. John Magah, investigation revealed, is a gun fabricator who facilitates the sale of these arms and ammunition,” Hundeyin added.
Police said the duo had allegedly operated the illegal arms trade for more than five years, with activities spanning Adamawa State and communities along the Cameroonian border.
Efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate.
In a related operation targeting drug supply routes, the IRT, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), arrested a 40-year-old suspect, Ifeanyi Egbeke, in Kaduna State on November 2, 2025.
“On November 2, 2025, at about 4:00 pm, operatives of the IRT, in collaboration with the DSS, acting on intelligence, intercepted a vehicle in Kaduna State and arrested one Ifeanyi Egbeke, aged 40,” Hundeyin said.
Items recovered from the suspect included 39 rolls and four packets of tramadol, 326 bottles of codeine, 52 rolls and eight sachets of BP injection syrups, 38 rolls and four sachets of Hypnos tablets, and one roll of Indian hemp.
Police investigations revealed that Egbeke allegedly supplied the illicit substances to bandits operating in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states.
The police also confirmed the arrest of an alleged gunrunner, Salisu Mohammed, also known as Mande Dawa, in Birnin Tasaba village, Zumi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
One AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 32 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered from the suspect, concealed inside a 50kg bag of millet. He reportedly confessed to delivering weapons to bandits along the Obajana axis of Kogi State.
In another case, operatives intercepted a trailer traveling from Lagos to Abuja and arrested the driver, Uchenna Ikpe. Twenty-four bags of Indian hemp were found concealed in the vehicle. The suspect allegedly told investigators he was to deliver the drugs in Abuja for a fee of N150,000.
The police further disclosed the arrest of Yunana Iliya, also known as Bado, 34, in Kaduna State, over alleged involvement in arms trafficking and kidnapping.
Five AK-47 rifles and 150 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspect, who reportedly confessed to supplying arms to bandits and taking part in the kidnapping of four children.
Hundeyin said investigations remain ongoing in all cases, adding that the Force is intensifying efforts to dismantle remaining networks linked to the supply of weapons and drugs fueling banditry across the country.
