DSS Intercepts Major Arms Shipment in Sokoto Amid Rising Concerns Over Female Couriers

The Department of State Services (DSS) recently intercepted a large consignment of weaponry in Sokoto State, marking a significant development in ongoing efforts to curb the flow of illegal arms into Nigeria. According to a security source cited by Channels Television, the operation took place in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area, where operatives recovered 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns, and 825 magazines.

Tactical Shifts in Arms Trafficking

Security intelligence suggests that increased pressure from the DSS has forced criminal syndicates to alter their logistics. The source indicated that traffickers are increasingly relying on unconventional methods, including the use of beasts of burden such as camels and the recruitment of women as couriers to evade detection. This interception occurs less than 70 days before the 2027 general elections, a period often associated with heightened security scrutiny.

The Role of Female Couriers

The arrest in Sokoto is part of a broader pattern of enforcement actions. Earlier in the same week, the DSS apprehended Hafsat Umar in Zamfara State, allegedly in possession of 12 grenades and two ammunition belts. Intelligence reports suggest she was attempting to deliver these items to a suspected bandit leader. According to the source, Umar is the 14th female courier arrested by the service between February 2025 and November 2026.

The DSS has documented similar arrests across several states, including Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna, and Plateau. Notable cases include:

• Nasarawa State: The arrest of Aisha Mohammed, who was allegedly found with over 200 rounds of AK-47 ammunition.
• Ebonyi State: The detention of Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba, who were reportedly supplying explosives to commanders of the outlawed Eastern Security Network.
• Taraba State: The interception of Sakina Muhammad and Badariyya Abubakar, who were found with a significant cache of rifle and machine gun ammunition.

Legal Consequences and Future Outlook

The judicial system has begun to process these cases, with the Federal High Court in Abuja previously sentencing three women—Halima Abdullahi, Safiya Salihu, and Halima Umar—to 20-year prison terms for terrorism-related charges. The DSS has stated its intention to charge Hafsat Umar in court as well.

While the service has not provided specific details regarding the total number of arms currently in circulation or the full extent of the networks involved, the DSS maintains that it will continue to leverage actionable intelligence to dismantle these supply chains. The agency emphasized that its tactical operations against illegal arms trafficking remain a priority as the country approaches the 2027 election cycle.

Note: Information regarding the specific identities of all individuals mentioned in the source report and the full scope of the criminal networks remains subject to ongoing investigation by the DSS.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Channels Television

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