The police high command has dismantled a notorious supply network allegedly responsible for arming violent bandits across the North Central region.
According to Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the operation, led by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department, Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), resulted in the recovery of sophisticated weapons, including a rocket launcher, General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), and multiple AK-47 rifles. The operatives also intercepted over 2,200 rounds of live ammunition.
A statement explained that the clampdown began on June 21, 2025, when FID-IRT operatives stormed a forested hideout straddling Kardako in Nasarawa State and Yelwata in Benue State.
It read: “The raid followed credible intelligence linking the location to bandits involved in the deadly Yelwata killings. A fierce gun battle ensued, forcing the suspects to flee with injuries. In the aftermath, police recovered two GPMGs from the hideout.
“Further gains were made on July 8, 2025, when 25-year-old Abubakar Isah was arrested during a tactical stop-and-search operation along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway in Benue State.
“He was caught with three AK-47 rifles and 1,002 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. Investigations revealed the weapons were supplied by a well-known arms dealer, Jacob Adikwu, based in Abinsi, Guma Local Government Area.’
The recovered items were reportedly headed by one Dan Hassan, a notorious bandit kingpin linked to coordinated attacks across Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara states.
According to the police, investigations took a new dimension on July 12, when the force arrested a suspect identified simply as Ibrahim, alias Chelsea.