The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a 21-year-old suspected female arms trafficker, Fatima Salisu, who was allegedly transporting ammunition to terrorists.
Salisu, a native of Funtua town in Katsina State, was intercepted in the Azuba area of Lafia while reportedly conveying ammunition through Keana and Doma Local Councils en route to Katsina.
Confirming the arrest yesterday, the spokesperson for the command, SP Ramhan Nansel, disclosed that the operation followed credible intelligence.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence tip-off, Commissioner of Police, CP Shettima Mohammed, ordered the immediate deployment of the command’s anti-kidnapping unit. This led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of 400 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and 81 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition,” he said.
Nansel added that the suspect is currently in custody undergoing interrogation as investigators work to dismantle the arms trafficking network and trace its links to armed banditry and terrorism.
The police assured the public of their commitment to eradicating crime in the state, urging residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised by Nasarawa residents over the recurring cases of arms trafficking involving women. Stakeholders are calling on both state and federal governments to investigate why Nasarawa has become a hub for arms trafficking to states like Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna, where bandits operate despite ongoing military offensives.
A security expert, Dr James Audu, expressed alarm over the proximity of Nasarawa to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, warning that the situation demands thorough investigation.
“This is about the fourth time arms traffickers have been arrested moving ammunition through Nasarawa State to areas where terrorists are active,” Audu said.
He urged the government to identify the individuals and networks involved in the arms trade, adding that the allegations that Nasarawa serves as a host for terrorists targeting neighbouring states like Plateau and Benue need to be addressed urgently.
“We are aware Governor Abdullahi Sule is doing everything possible to curtail banditry in the state, though incidents of attacks and killings persist,” Audu noted.
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct the National Security Adviser and other security agencies to conduct a forensic investigation into the state’s role as a hub for arms traffickers.
