Nasarawa Police Intercept Bus Loaded with Sophisticated Weapons En Route to Kwara

The Nasarawa State Police Command has intercepted a commercial bus loaded with high-grade firearms and ammunition, halting what officials describe as a major arms trafficking operation from Benue to Kwara State.

In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ramham Nansel, the police disclosed that the breakthrough came in the early hours of June 4, 2025. Acting on credible intelligence, officers intercepted the vehicle in Lafia around 3:09 a.m., leading to the arrest of two suspected gunrunners.

The suspects were identified as Lawal Sani, a 40-year-old commercial bus driver from Makwalla in Funtua LGA of Katsina State, and Dahiru Abdullahi, a 75-year-old cattle trader from Angwan Dosa in Kaduna North LGA, Kaduna State, known to frequent the Keffi Cattle Market in Nasarawa.

Recovered from the suspects were a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), three AK-47 rifles, one TAB 06 rifle, 1,096 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, 20 rounds of 7.62mm NATO calibre ammunition, four empty magazines, and a grey Toyota Hiace bus with registration number AAA 926 XL.

According to the police, the suspects confessed to being paid ₦500,000 to transport the weapons, a consignment with the potential to supply multiple criminal groups. The command confirmed the suspects are in custody and that a full-scale investigation is underway to dismantle the network behind the operation.