75-year-old suspected gunrunner arrested in Nasarawa

Thursday, June 5, 2025 - Through credible and actionable intelligence, the police arrested on 7 April 2021, a 75-year-old man identified as an arms trafficker and going by the name Dahiru Abdullahi.

The cattle dealer from Kaduna State was arrested with an accomplice, Lawal Sani, a commercial bus driver of about 40 years from Katsina State in a well-orchestrated operation.

A statement was issued by the command PRO, SP Ramhan Nansel, to journalists at the State Secretariat in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday confirming the arrest.

SP Nansel explained that the suspects were intercepted while they were moving by road through Lafia with a huge cache of arms and ammunition, allegedly heading for Ilorin in Kwara State.

“The suspects confessed to being paid ₦500,000 to transport the weapons from Benue to Kwara State—a transaction that could have armed multiple criminal networks. They have been taken into custody, and a full-scale investigation is currently underway to uncover the network behind this operation,” he added.

The items recovered from the suspects included one 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 caliber ammunition, four empty magazines, and a grey Toyota Hiace bus with registration number AAA 926 XL.

“Nasarawa State is not a safe corridor for crime. We remain unshaken in our resolve to dismantle illegal arms networks and protect the lives of innocent Nigerians.

“We call on the public to stay alert and continue reporting suspicious movements through our official hotline. We assure of our continued, decisive action against threats to peace and security in the state,” the police boss declared.