Police Smash Arms Syndicate Linked to Benue Massacres, Recover Deadly Weapons and Ammunition

In a major breakthrough following the deadly bandit attacks in Benue State, the Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a notorious arms trafficking network believed to be behind the supply of weapons to bandits across the North-Central region.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Tuesday, July 23, 2025.

According to the statement, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), acting on credible intelligence, stormed a forest hideout at the boundary between Kardako in Nasarawa State and Yelwata in Benue on June 21. A fierce gun battle ensued, forcing the bandits to flee with gunshot wounds. During the operation, two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) were recovered from the scene.

Further tactical surveillance led to the arrest of 25-year-old Abubakar Isah along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway on July 8. He was caught with three AK-47 rifles and 1,002 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition. Investigations revealed that the weapons were supplied by a well-known arms dealer, Jacob Adikwu, based in Abinsi, Guma LGA of Benue. The arms were reportedly destined for a wanted bandit kingpin, Dan Hassan, who has been linked to numerous attacks in Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States.

On July 12, another suspect, Ibrahim alias “Chelsea,” was apprehended. He confessed to sending ₦6.5 million to Adikwu — ₦6 million for the supply of two AK-47 rifles and 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and ₦500,000 to construct a hidden compartment in a Volkswagen vehicle meant to smuggle the weapons to Kwara State.

In a swift follow-up operation, police operatives stormed Abinsi on July 16 and arrested Adikwu. Recovered from his hideout were three AK-47 rifles, 220 rounds of ammunition, and the Volkswagen vehicle. Further investigation on July 17 led to the recovery of five more AK-47 rifles, one rocket launcher, and an additional 1,000 rounds of live ammunition.

The police say efforts are ongoing to track down and apprehend Dan Hassan and other armed criminal elements still at large.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, lauded the operatives for their resilience and assured Nigerians that there will be no refuge for those who profit from violence and bloodshed. He further directed that all arrested suspects will be prosecuted upon conclusion of investigations.

The IGP reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to restoring peace in Benue and other affected states, in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.