The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its crackdown on criminal networks, arresting suspected gunrunners and drug suppliers linked to banditry across the country.
The arrests followed intelligence-driven operations carried out by the force intelligence department–intelligence response team (FID-IRT) between September and November 2025.
CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, force public relations officer, disclosed the development on Tuesday during a press briefing in Abuja.
Hundeyin said the operations led to the arrest of nine suspects and the recovery of prohibited firearms, ammunition and large quantities of illicit drugs.
He said the arrests were part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks fuelling banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes nationwide.
Hundeyin said the cases under review involved gunrunning syndicates, arms suppliers to bandits and drug traffickers operating across Plateau, Adamawa, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kogi and other states.
He said the recoveries included two AK-47 rifles, three pump-action rifles, two single-barrel guns, two Beretta pistols, four locally fabricated revolver rifles, six live cartridges, four magazines, 35 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres and 24 bags of Indian hemp.
Hundeyin said Adamu Zaki Babangida, described as a notorious gunrunner, was arrested in Plateau state on September 9, 2025.
He said Babangida was apprehended at about 9:30am, with a Remington model pump-action rifle recovered from him.
Hundeyin said further investigation led to the recovery of four locally fabricated revolver rifles from another location in Plateau state on October 23, 2025.
He said efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the gunrunning syndicate.
Hundeyin also disclosed the arrest of Chibuke Nnaji and Joshua Izang, also known as “Buffalo”, over unlawful possession of firearms and the use of a fake gun permit.
He said Nnaji was arrested in Plateau state on October 23, 2025, with a forged gun permit, adding that investigations revealed that Izang masterminded the forged permit.
He said: “The arrest of Izang led to the recovery of one pump-action rifle, two single-barrel guns and two live cartridges.”
Hundeyin said operatives arrested Daudume Bayina in Adamawa state on October 26, 2025, after weeks of intelligence gathering.
He said Bayina was arrested at about 8:30pm with two Beretta pistols, one live round of ammunition and two magazines.
Hundeyin said investigations showed Bayina was on his way to supply the firearms to another individual in a border town between Adamawa state and Cameroon.
He said the suspect had been involved in arms supply for over a year, noting that operatives also arrested John Magah, 45, and Ishaya Stephen, 43, during an ongoing investigation into arms supply.
He said one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, one magazine and four live cartridges were recovered from the duo.
Hundeyin said investigations revealed that Magah was a gun fabricator who facilitated the production and sale of firearms.
He said both suspects had allegedly supplied arms to bandits and to Bayina, who had earlier been arrested.
Hundeyin said the IRT, working with the department of state services (DSS), arrested Ifeanyi Egbeke, 40, a suspected illicit drug supplier, in Kaduna state on November 2, 2025.
He said Egbeke was intercepted at about 4:00pm with large quantities of controlled substances including Tramadol, Codeine syrup, BP injection syrups, Hypnos tablets and Indian hemp.
Hundeyin said investigations revealed that Egbeke allegedly supplied drugs to bandits operating in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states.
He said operatives also arrested Salisu Mohammed, also known as “Mande Dawa”, in Birnin Tsaba village, Zurmi local government area of Zamfara state.
Hundeyin said one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 32 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in a 50kg bag of millet were recovered from him.
He said Mohammed confessed that the weapons were given to him by one Naduka, who is currently at large, for delivery to bandits along the Obajana axis of Kogi state.
Hundeyin said the suspect admitted to being involved in gunrunning for over a decade, adding that operatives also arrested Uchenna Ikpe, a trailer driver conveying 24 bags of Indian hemp from Lagos to Abuja.
Hundeyin said Ikpe claimed he was to be paid N150,000 for delivering the drugs, adding that investigations were ongoing.
He said Yunana Iliya, also known as “Bado”, 34, was arrested in Kaduna state on September 27, 2025, adding that the arrest led to the recovery of five AK-47 rifles and 150 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
He said Iliya confessed to arms dealing and kidnapping, including conspiring with others to kidnap four children.
Hundeyin assured Nigerians that the police would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies.
He said: “The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mission to uphold the rule of law and protect the lives and property of every citizen.”
Hundeyin said all suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
