Mohamed Garba
In a striking blow against arms trafficking, the Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested 21-year-old Fatima Salisu for allegedly smuggling ammunition destined for criminal networks in Katsina State. The operation, hailed as a “major breakthrough” by authorities, reveals escalating efforts to dismantle illicit arms networks fueling violence across Nigeria’s northwest.
Acting on credible intelligence, Commissioner of Police Shetima J. Mohammed mobilized the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, which intercepted Salisu in the Keana and Doma areas of Nasarawa. A search revealed 400 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition—commonly used in AK-47 rifles—and 81 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, typically deployed in heavier combat firearms.“The team acted with precision, ensuring the suspect’s arrest and recovery of these dangerous munitions,” said Police Public Relations Officer Ramhan Nansel in a Thursday statement.
Salisu, a resident of Katsina, is accused of orchestrating the trafficking route through Nasarawa to supply armed groups. She remains in custody, undergoing what officials describe as “rigorous interrogation” to unravel her connections to broader criminal enterprises.
The arrest spotlights concerns over arms networks sustaining banditry and terrorism in Katsina, a region plagued by kidnappings and violence. Nansel emphasized the operation’s significance: “This interception disrupts the flow of weapons to criminals and opens critical avenues to trace ties to armed banditry and terrorism.”
Authorities allege Salisu’s activities exemplify a troubling trend of youth involvement in high-stakes trafficking. Her age and gender have raised questions about recruitment tactics used by criminal syndicates. “We are probing deeper to dismantle every link in this chain,” Nansel added.The seizure aligns with broader inter-state efforts to curb arms proliferation.
Katsina, bordering Niger Republic, has become a hotspot for bandit militias exploiting porous borders. The Nasarawa Command’s success signals intensified collaboration among security agencies to track trafficking routes.
CP Mohammed praised the unit’s efficiency, reiterating the police’s resolve to “root out elements threatening national security.” Meanwhile, residents in Keana and Doma expressed relief, though some called for stricter surveillance to prevent future smuggling.
As investigations continue, security analysts warn that Salisu’s case may reveal entrenched networks requiring multi-state coordination to dismantle. For now, the arrest marks a critical win in Nigeria’s fraught battle against armed violence—one bullet at a time.
