DSS foils major terror plot, intercepts 21 AK-47s, other arms from Niger in Sokoto

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor Barely 70 days to the the 2027 general elections, the Department of State Security Services has foiled a major terror plot by intercepting a large consignment of high-calibre weapons and ammunition smuggled into the country from Niger Republic. The weapons, including 21 AK-47 rifles, 4 PKT machine guns and 825 magazines, were intercepted exclusively by DSS officers in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following intensive surveillance of terror cells seeking to transport deadly weapons into Nigeria ahead of the general elections.

A security source disclosed that, given increased interception of illegal weapons by the DSS around the country, terror groups have turned to women and beasts of burden, particularly camels, to move illegal weapons into and around the country. It will be recalled that earlier in the week, DSS operatives in Talata Mafaran LGA of Zamfara State, arrested another suspected female arms courier, Hafsat Umar.

Umar, who was arrested with 12 grenades and two ammunition belts, is the 14th female illegal arms courier arrested by the DSS between February 2025 and November 2026. Intelligence indicated that the suspected illegal arms courier travelled to Niger State to source ammunition for delivery to a notorious bandit leader, Saidu Marafa, who is based in Kani Kawa, Maradun LGA of Zamfara State.

The arrests by the DSS span Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau States. Notable among the arrests was that of Aisha Mohammed, apprehended last month in Keffi, Nasarawa State, while allegedly conveying arms and ammunition through a notorious arms dealer and kidnapper simply called Sani. Recovered from Aisha were 202 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition and three empty AK-47 magazines.

In September, 2026, two female couriers, Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba were arrested at separate locations in Ebonyi State over their alleged involvement in the supply of weapons and explosives to commanders of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN). The commanders include Chinonso Amobi Okafor, aka Temple, and B44, reportedly based in Anambra State. 14 wraps of IED detonators, were recovered during the operation.

In August, DSS arrested one Rabiatu Halidu, on Abacha Road, Katu LGA of Nasarawa State with 501 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. In February, DSS officers arrested one Aisha Ibrahim in Tsafe, LGA of Zamfara State, with 975 rounds of ammunition. Arested in January were Sakina Muhammad and Badariyya Abubakar, along Wukari-Jalingo Road, Taraba State, with one AK-47 rifle, 984 rounds of special ammunition, 105 rounds of GPMG ammunition and 14 empty AK-47 magazines.

The Service also recorded several arrests in 2025, including Rahane Sanusi, in Talatan Mafara LGA of Zamfara State. She was caught while conveying ammunition from an illegal arms dealer in Sokoto State to a notorious bandit, Ibrahim Bare, aka Baba, in Anka LGA of the state. Also arrested during the period was Suwaiba Abubakar, Halima Umar, Firdausi Haruna, Saidya Ibrahim and Fatima Sani, with varying quantities of arms and ammunition recovered from them.

Recall that, early in the year, the Federal High Court, Abuja, handed convicted some women for terrorism-related cases involving female arms couriers arrested by the DSS. In two instances, three female couriers, identified as Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu and Halima Umar, were convicted and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment each following their arraignment on terrorism-related charges by the DSS.

“Like the others before her,” noted a security source, “Hafsat Umar will also be charged to court, and the DSS will use intelligence at their disposal to bring other criminals to justice.” “The DSS will continue to leverage on actionable intelligence and sustained tactical operations to identify, identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the illegal arms trade and bring them to justice,” declared the source.