Nigeria Police Dismantle Arms Syndicate In Benue, Seize Rocket Launcher And AK-47s.
Makurdi, Nigeria – The Nigeria Police Force has achieved a significant victory against banditry in the North-Central region, intercepting a notorious arms supply syndicate responsible for arming criminal gangs in Benue and neighbouring states. The operation, conducted by the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), resulted in the recovery of a rocket launcher, 12 AK-47 rifles, two general-purpose machine guns (GPMGs), and over 2,222 rounds of live ammunition, marking a major blow to illegal arms trafficking.
The breakthrough followed investigations into deadly attacks on communities in Benue, including the Yelwata killings in June 2025. On 21 June, FID-IRT operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided a forest hideout at the Kardako-Yelwata boundary between Nasarawa and Benue States. A fierce gun battle ensued, forcing bandits to flee with injuries, leaving behind two GPMGs. The operation set the stage for further raids that uncovered the syndicate’s extensive network.
On 8 July, along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway, police arrested 25-year-old Abubakar Isah, who was caught with three AK-47 rifles and 1,002 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. Investigations revealed the weapons were supplied by Jacob Adikwu, a notorious arms dealer based in Abinsi, Guma Local Government Area, intended for delivery to Dan Hassan, a bandit kingpin linked to attacks across Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States.
Further operations on 12 July led to the arrest of another suspect, Ibrahim, alias Chelsea, who confessed to transferring ₦6.5 million to Adikwu—₦6 million for two AK-47 rifles and 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and ₦500,000 to construct a concealed compartment in a Volkswagen vehicle for transporting the arms to Kwara State. On 16 July, police stormed Adikwu’s hideout in Abinsi, apprehending him and recovering three AK-47 rifles, 220 rounds of ammunition, and the vehicle. A follow-up search on 17 July uncovered an additional five AK-47 rifles, a rocket launcher, and 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun praised the operatives for their “doggedness and professionalism,” vowing that there would be “no hiding place for those who profit from the bloodshed of innocent Nigerians.” He reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to restoring peace in Benue and other affected areas, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to curb insecurity. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Dan Hassan and other syndicate members, with those in custody set to face prosecution upon completion of investigations.
The operation has been hailed as a critical step in addressing the proliferation of illegal arms fuelling violence in the North-Central region. Posts on X reflect public relief and support, with users commending the police for disrupting the syndicate’s operations. However, some expressed concern over the scale of the recovered arsenal, highlighting the ongoing challenge of tackling banditry.
Security analysts note that the syndicate’s reach across multiple states underscores the complexity of Nigeria’s insecurity crisis. The recovery of high-calibre weapons like a rocket launcher raises alarm about the sophistication of criminal networks. As the police intensify efforts to dismantle the syndicate, the operation signals a renewed push to restore stability and protect communities in Benue and beyond.