The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted a large consignment of weapons smuggled into Nigeria from the Niger Republic amid concerns over possible security threats ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The operation, carried out in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, led to the recovery of 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines, Naija News learnt.
The weapons were reportedly intercepted after DSS operatives tracked suspected terrorist networks involved in moving illegal arms into the country.
A security source, according to Daily Trust, disclosed that some terror groups had changed their methods of transporting weapons following increased arrests and seizures by security operatives.
According to the source, the groups are now using women and animals, particularly camels, to move illegal weapons into and across different parts of Nigeria.
The source also revealed that the DSS had tracked down one of the field commanders allegedly assigned to cause violence before and during the 2027 elections.
The latest operation comes amid a series of arrests involving women suspected of working as arms couriers for terrorists and bandit groups across the country.
Earlier in the week, DSS operatives arrested a suspected female arms courier, Hafsat Umar, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
She was reportedly found with 12 grenades and two ammunition belts.
Umar is said to be the 14th woman arrested by the DSS over alleged illegal arms transportation between February 2025 and November 2026.
Intelligence reports indicated that she had travelled to Niger State to obtain ammunition for delivery to a notorious bandit leader, Saidu Marafa, who operates from Kani Kawa in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The arrests have taken place across Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau states.
Among the recent cases was the arrest of Aisha Mohammed in Keffi, Nasarawa State, last month.
She was allegedly conveying weapons and ammunition through a suspected arms dealer and kidnapper identified only as Sani.
DSS operatives reportedly recovered 202 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition and three empty AK-47 magazines from her.
In September 2026, two other suspected female couriers, Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba, were arrested at different locations in Ebonyi State over their alleged involvement in supplying weapons and explosives to commanders of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The suspected recipients included Chinonso Amobi Okafor, popularly known as Temple, and another commander identified as B44, who were reportedly based in Anambra State.
The operation also led to the recovery of 14 wraps of improvised explosive device (IED) detonators.
Similarly, in August, DSS operatives arrested Rabiatu Halidu along Abacha Road in Katu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
She was allegedly found with 501 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
In February, another suspect, Aisha Ibrahim, was arrested in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State with 975 rounds of ammunition.
Earlier in January, Sakina Muhammad and Badariyya Abubakar were arrested along the Wukari-Jalingo Road in Taraba State.
The security operatives reportedly recovered one AK-47 rifle, 984 rounds of special ammunition, 105 rounds of GPMG ammunition and 14 empty AK-47 magazines from them.
The DSS also recorded several arrests in 2025 as part of its efforts to disrupt arms supplies to bandit groups.
One of the suspects, Rahane Sanusi, was arrested in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State while allegedly transporting ammunition from an illegal arms dealer in Sokoto State to a notorious bandit leader, Ibrahim Bare, also known as Baba, in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Other women arrested during the period included Suwaiba Abubakar, Halima Umar, Firdausi Haruna, Saidya Ibrahim and Fatima Sani. Different quantities of weapons and ammunition were reportedly recovered during the operations.
Meanwhile, the DSS has also secured convictions against some women arrested over terrorism-related activities.
Earlier in the year, the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted three female arms couriers, identified as Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu and Halima Umar, following their arraignment on terrorism-related charges.
The court sentenced each of them to 20 years in prison.
