Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Tactical Team, have arrested a suspected major gunrunner accused of supplying arms to terrorists operating along the Kwara–Kogi corridor.

The suspect was apprehended on March 14, 2026, at Agwatashi in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, where security operatives recovered a large quantity of ammunition and cash.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Michael Onoja, disclosed that the arrest forms part of wider military successes recorded between March 14 and March 19, 2026, across ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-criminality operations nationwide.

He also revealed that the Department of State Services (DSS) intercepted a female courier in Kano State with 884 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, in what he described as a significant inter-agency achievement. Additional arrests of suspected armed collaborators were made in Sokoto, Kaduna and Kebbi states.

According to Onoja, troops in Kebbi State also apprehended suspected informants linked to the Lakurawa terrorist group, disrupting support networks aiding criminal operations.

In a related development, troops responded to reports of gunfire in Tungan Aliat Tato village in Kaduna State on March 19. Upon arrival, security forces discovered that attackers had fled the area after their operation was thwarted by the swift military response.

Earlier, on March 15, troops at a Forward Operating Base in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State arrested another suspect attempting to deliver three motorcycles believed to be intended for terrorist use. Follow-up intelligence operations led to the arrest of two suspected members of ISWAP and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), who were reportedly in the area to receive the items.

Onoja said preliminary investigations have provided actionable intelligence to support efforts to track down other members of the network.

He added that within the review period, troops neutralised several terrorists and criminal elements, rescued kidnapped victims, and recovered weapons, ammunition and other illicit materials.

The Defence Headquarters stated that the operations highlight the military’s continued commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and ensuring national security, assuring that efforts would be intensified to sustain the gains achieved.