Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Department of State Services (DSS) for what he described as a “decisive and coordinated” covert operation that led to the dismantling of a major gunrunning syndicate in the state.
The operation, carried out by DSS operatives, reportedly uncovered a cache of arms and ammunition, arresting key suspects believed to be behind the supply of weapons to bandit groups across the North.
Speaking through the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu, SAN, the governor described the breakthrough as a “strategic victory” for Kaduna’s ongoing security reforms under the Kaduna Peace Model.
“There must be some bad eggs who want to rubbish government’s efforts, but the DSS in Kaduna has done wonderfully well. This is the kind of result we get when institutions work together,” Governor Sani said.
Security sources confirmed that the covert operation focused on Igabi and Kachia Local Government Areas, both known flashpoints for criminal activity. Three suspects were reportedly arrested in separate sting operations linked to a wider weapons distribution network.
According to reports, the first suspect, aged 30, was intercepted along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Bypass in Kaduna while transporting arms concealed inside sacks of maize. Items recovered from him included two AK-47 rifles, one PKT machine gun, 220 rounds of live ammunition, and four empty magazines.
Further arrests were made along the Kaduna–Abuja expressway, where two suspects, aged 44 and 38, were apprehended with three AK-47 rifles, three magazines, and ₦69,050 cash hidden inside their vehicle.
Governor Sani emphasised that the success of the operation reflects the effectiveness of Kaduna State’s security framework, which is built on intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration, and community engagement.
He noted, “This operation clearly shows that our preventive and proactive peace and security strategy is working. The Kaduna Peace Model is designed to anticipate and disrupt criminal activities before they escalate, and this is a perfect example.”
