The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a 30-year-old suspected gun courier, Muhammad Abubakar, in Kano State after intercepting him while transporting illegal firearms. The arrest took place in Gezawa Local Government Area following a tip-off from intelligence sources. Abubakar was caught with four RPG tubes, three AK-47 rifles, and two empty magazines, all destined for Funtua in Katsina State, a region known for high insecurity. The DSS paraded the suspect at its Kano State Command, confirming the seizure and ongoing investigation.
According to the DSS, Abubakar collected the weapons from an individual named Bello in the Maigatari border area of Jigawa State. He admitted during interrogation that he was paid N450,000 upon successful delivery, though he was apprehended before completing the assignment. The suspect claimed this was his first involvement in arms transportation, stating he was pressured into the act after a week of persistent persuasion from Bello. He revealed they only communicated via phone and had never met in person before the day of the arrest.
Abubakar, who hails from Mokwa in Niger State, said he normally operates as a passenger transporter between Kano, Abuja, and Mokwa. He confessed that he knew the weapons were intended for criminal activities, including robbery, but felt compelled to proceed under pressure. Despite his claims of ignorance about the final recipient’s identity, he admitted to being given a phone number for the delivery. He expressed regret over his actions, acknowledging that his arrest was inevitable given the nature of the crime.
The DSS emphasized that the suspect will face prosecution under relevant laws, while joint efforts with other security agencies continue to trace Bello and any other accomplices involved in the arms trafficking network. The agency also reiterated its commitment to disrupting illegal arms circulation across Nigeria’s northern regions, where insecurity remains a major challenge. This arrest underscores the growing threat of weapon smuggling and the need for coordinated security responses.
As authorities intensify surveillance along key transit routes, this case highlights the role of intelligence and inter-agency collaboration in curbing gun violence. The DSS’s swift action sends a strong message to those involved in arms trafficking that such activities will not go unpunished. The investigation is expected to reveal more about the broader network facilitating illegal weapons movement across state borders.
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