By Sulyman Gobir
Community leaders in Katsina and Nasarawa States have commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for arresting an alleged arms trafficking kingpin and disrupting a suspected network supplying ammunition to terrorists across parts of northern Nigeria.
The suspected kingpin, identified as 28-year-old Mubarak, was reportedly arrested on Tuesday by DSS operatives at Magabar Jibia in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Mubarak, said to be a native of Mashema Village in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, allegedly provided information that helped security operatives uncover an arms trafficking network operating across several northern states.
A community leader in Jibia described the arrest as a major relief for residents who, he alleged, had suffered years of attacks linked to the suspect’s network.
“We are very relieved and thankful to the DSS for arresting Mubarak. Many villagers are aware of the terror his men have been unleashing on us over the years,” the leader said through an interpreter.
Alleged arms courier arrested in Nasarawa
In a related development, a community leader from the Keffi area of Nasarawa State has praised the DSS following the arrest of an alleged arms courier, identified as Ismail Lawalli.
Lawalli was reportedly arrested on Sunday evening along the Keffi-Abuja Highway with 1,099 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 57 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and 106 rounds of General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) ammunition.
A retired security operative who spoke on the arrest alleged that Lawalli told investigators he was transporting the ammunition to Mubarak, who had reportedly paid for the consignment’s transportation.
The information allegedly helped DSS operatives trace and arrest Mubarak in Katsina State.
Suspect’s brother also arrested
The community leader further disclosed that Mubarak’s elder brother, Mustapha Abubakar, was arrested earlier this year in Gusau, Zamfara State, over alleged arms trafficking.
According to him, Abubakar was allegedly found in possession of an AK-47 rifle and 20 rounds of ammunition.
The suspects remain in DSS custody for further investigation and are expected to face prosecution if sufficient evidence is established.
The community leaders urged security agencies to sustain efforts to dismantle illicit arms networks, which they said continue to fuel insecurity across the country.
The allegations contained in the report remain subject to investigation and due process of law.
