The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered and dismantled a major gunrunning syndicate allegedly responsible for the arms used in the deadly Yelewata attack in Benue State. According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) launched a raid on June 21 in a forest along the Nasarawa–Benue border based on credible intelligence. The operatives reportedly engaged armed criminals in a fierce shootout, leading to the recovery of two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), while the assailants escaped with bullet wounds.
On July 8, the team intercepted one Abubakar Isah, aged 25, along Lafia–Makurdi Road. He was arrested with three AK-47 rifles and 1,002 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in a sack. “He confessed that the arms were supplied by one Jacob Adikwu, an indigene of Abinsi in Guma LGA of Benue State,” the statement said.
Further investigations led to the arrest of one Ibrahim, also known as Chelsea, on July 12. He revealed that he paid Adikwu the sum of ₦6.5 million—₦6 million for two AK-47 rifles and 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and ₦500,000 to modify a Volkswagen vehicle to transport the arms to Kwara State. According to the police, “He also confessed to be a member of a gang responsible for series of kidnappings and armed robbery attacks.”
On July 16, operatives arrested Jacob Adikwu at his hideout in Abinsi. Recovered from him were three AK-47 rifles, 220 rounds of live ammunition, and a Volkswagen Golf car. A follow-up operation on July 17 in a forest in Gwer West Local Government Area led to the recovery of five additional AK-47 rifles, one rocket launcher, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
The statement noted that the arms were being procured for one Dan Hassan, identified as the mastermind behind several deadly attacks in Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States. “Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang and their sponsor, one Dan Hassan,” the police said.
The arrested suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.