Troops Detain Leading Arms Trafficker Connected to Interstate Weapons Network

Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have detained a prominent arms trafficker who was linked to an interstate illegal weapons network.

The arrest followed credible intelligence that the suspect was moving illicit arms between states. On Sunday, June 14, 2026, soldiers from Sector 6, working with Headquarters Operation ENDURING PEACE, carried out a coordinated, intelligence‑driven operation.

In a statement posted on its WhatsApp channel, the operation said the suspect was travelling in a white Peugeot from Jos South toward the Makera axis in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. He was identified, placed under surveillance, and intercepted at a military checkpoint in Makera.

A search of the vehicle uncovered two locally manufactured pistols, 167 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, three cans of pepper spray, a jackknife, two mobile phones, two cutlasses, a police staff tag, photographs of the suspect in police uniform, two ATM cards, a National Identification Number (NIN) card, and cash totaling N73,300.

The findings identified the suspect as Inspector Danjuma Yusuf, a former officer of Nigeria Police Force Base 7 in Abuja who was dismissed from service. He is alleged to be a key figure in an interstate arms‑trafficking syndicate that supplies weapons to criminal groups involved in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.

The statement reiterated that the Nigerian Army, together with other security agencies, remains committed to protecting lives and property while maintaining offensive operations against all threats to national security. It urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to help dismantle criminal networks and restore lasting peace.