Operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command have intercepted 174 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and arrested a suspected arms trafficker along the Toto–Abaji Road, in what authorities described as a major breakthrough in the fight against illegal arms proliferation in the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Ramhan Nansel, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Lafia, saying the arrest formed part of ongoing efforts by the police to curb the movement of illegal weapons and safeguard public security across the state.
According to the statement, officers attached to the Toto Divisional Headquarters were conducting routine patrol operations on June 22, 2026, when they intercepted a suspect identified as Abubakar Abdullahi. A search conducted on the suspect reportedly led to the discovery of 174 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 live ammunition concealed in his possession.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was unable to provide any credible explanation regarding the source of the ammunition, its ownership or its intended destination. This raised suspicions that the recovered rounds may have been intended for criminal groups operating within or outside the state.
The suspect has since been taken into custody, while detectives have launched a comprehensive investigation aimed at uncovering the wider network behind the illegal arms movement. Security operatives are also working to identify and arrest other individuals believed to be connected to the trafficking operation.
The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating criminal activities, particularly the proliferation of illicit firearms and ammunition, which have contributed to insecurity in many parts of the country.
He warned individuals involved in illegal activities to abandon their criminal enterprises or face severe consequences, stressing that the command had intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance operations and strategic deployments to prevent crimes and maintain law and order.
“There will be no hiding place for criminals in Nasarawa State. We are determined to track down and prosecute anyone involved in activities that threaten the peace and safety of our communities,” the police commissioner stated.
CP Mohammed assured residents that the police remain fully committed to protecting lives and property and encouraged members of the public to continue their lawful activities without fear. He also urged citizens to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could assist in identifying criminal elements and preventing attacks.
Police authorities noted that intelligence-led policing and increased collaboration with communities have continued to yield positive results in tackling arms trafficking and other security threats. They emphasized that the fight against the illegal circulation of weapons remains a key priority, given the role such arms play in fueling banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and other violent crimes.
Security analysts say the interception underscores the importance of sustained surveillance and coordinated security operations, especially along major transit routes frequently exploited by arms traffickers. They argue that disrupting the supply chain of illegal weapons is essential to weakening criminal networks and improving security across the North-Central region and the country as a whole.
The Nasarawa State Police Command reiterated its zero-tolerance stance against crime and pledged to continue deploying all lawful measures necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of residents while bringing offenders to justice.
