Inspector Attached to Niger Government House Arrested for Allegedly Selling Arms to Bandits

A Police Inspector attached to the Niger State Government House in Minna has been arrested for allegedly diverting and selling arms and ammunition to bandits and hoodlums operating in parts of the state, security sources have confirmed.

The suspect, Inspector John Moses, was apprehended following an internal arms audit that uncovered serious discrepancies in police armoury records. A report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday said the inspector confessed to his involvement in the illegal arms trade. According to the report, Moses disclosed that the weapons and ammunition were supplied to him by a senior officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abdullahi Isah, who was attached to 12 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Minna and reportedly served in an armoury-related role. Moses allegedly sold the arms to bandits and hoodlums in Erena community, Shiroro Local Government Area, using his brother, identified as Chinedu, as an intermediary. Investigations revealed that a routine audit of police weapons exposed that 13 AK-47 rifles and more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition were missing or unaccounted for, with the discrepancies traced specifically to the AK-47 section of the armoury. The discovery triggered a broader security probe into possible collusion and lapses within the command. Security sources said the case has since attracted the attention of federal authorities due to its implications for internal security, especially in Shiroro LGA, an area that has suffered repeated bandit attacks and kidnappings. Operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) have taken over aspects of the investigation, with the suspects reportedly transferred to Abuja for further interrogation. The Niger State Police Command has not issued a detailed public statement on the matter, but sources within the command confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the full chain of custody of the missing weapons and identify any additional officers or civilians involved. The development has renewed concerns about arms proliferation and insider collaboration with criminal groups, as security agencies intensify efforts to curb banditry and restore public confidence in law enforcement across Niger State and the wider North-Central region.