The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says its operatives have successfully intercepted and dismantled a “notorious arms supply syndicate” responsible for arming bandits in Benue state and other north-central states.

A statement on Wednesday by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, said the breakthrough followed sustained intelligence-led operations by operatives of the force intelligence department-intelligence response team (FID-IRT).

He said the crackdown is part of ongoing investigations into the deadly attacks on communities in Benue, including the recent Yelwata killings.

Adejobi said that on June 21, 2025, police operatives acting on credible intelligence stormed a forest hideout at the Kardako-Yelwata boundary between Nasarawa and Benue.

He said a gun battle ensued, forcing the bandits to flee with gunshot injuries, adding that two general-purpose machine guns (GPMG) were recovered at the scene.

“Similarly, on 8th July 2025, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), in a tactical operation, along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway in Makurdi, Benue State, arrested one Abubakar Isah, aged 25, found in possession of 3 AK47 rifles and 1002 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition,” the statement reads.

“The arrest followed actionable intelligence indicating an impending arms movement intended for distribution to bandit groups known to be terrorising various communities in Benue State.

“Further investigations revealed that the arms and ammunition were supplied by a notorious arms dealer, Jacob Adikwu, operating from Abinsi, Guma Local Government area of Benue State, and was to be delivered to one Dan Hassan, a bandit kingpin known for orchestrating deadly attacks against communities across Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States.”

The spokesperson said on July 12, police arrested another suspect, identified as Ibrahim, also known as Chelsea.

“In another related development, on the 12th of July, 2025, FID-IRT operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested one ibrahim aka Chelsea, who confessed to have sent the sum of Six Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira( 6,500,000) to the same Adikwu Jacob, Six Million Naira (6,000,000) being payment for delivery of 2 AK47 rifles and 2000 rounds of live ammunition, while Five Hundred Thousand Naira (500,000)would serve as payment for construction of a compartment in the Volkswagen vehicle to conceal the said arms for transportation to Kwara State,” the statement added.

Adejobi said acting on this information, operatives arrived Abinsi on July 16 and arrested Adikwu. They recovered three AK-47 rifles, 220 rounds of live ammunition, and a Volkswagen car.

A follow-up operation on July 17 was said to have led to the seizure of five more AK-47 rifles, a rocket launcher, and 1,000 rounds of ammunition from the same location.

Adejobi said efforts are ongoing to apprehend Dan Hassan and other suspects still at large, adding that those in custody will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.