A 32-year-old man, Ahmed Abubakar, has been arrested in Abuja for allegedly attempting to procure live ammunition destined for bandit gangs operating in Zamfara State. The arrest, which was made by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command (FCT Police Command), underscores growing concerns about illicit arms supply networks feeding criminal groups across Nigeria.
According to the FCT Police, Abubakar — a native of Gusau, Zamfara State, but residing in the Anguwan Dodo area of Gwagwalada, Abuja — was apprehended on December 7 during a raid at the Mabushi Division. The operation was prompted by what police sources described as “credible intelligence.”
Eyewitness account from security sources suggests that Abubakar had reached out to a serving soldier, identified as Corporal Yusuf Mohammed, seeking procurement and delivery of 1,000 rounds of ammunition — allegedly intended for bandit groups terrorising Zamfara. According to those sources, the deal was to be executed in exchange for cash payment.
During questioning, Abubakar reportedly confessed that the operation was being carried out at the behest of his uncle, Ahmed Yakubu — who is currently at large. He admitted that he was to purchase the ammunition in Abuja and transport it back to Zamfara for distribution among criminal elements.
Police also recovered ₦170,100 from him, believed to be part of the funds intended to facilitate the illegal purchase of the ammunition. The FCT Police have confirmed that Abubakar remains in custody undergoing further interrogation as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the wider supply network and apprehend his fleeing accomplice.
This arrest comes amid a broader crackdown by security agencies on illicit arms trafficking in and out of Abuja and other regions. In recent months, the FCT Police and other security units have intercepted multiple arms-smuggling operations, some involving serving or former security personnel.
In a related development in 2025, a previously dismissed immigration officer was arrested in Abuja in connection with attempts to sell sophisticated firearms to bandits operating around the Abuja-Kaduna forests — a reminder of the persistent threat that internal arms trafficking poses to national security.
Security experts have warned that the flow of ammunition and small arms from the Federal Capital Territory to bandit-infested areas could significantly worsen the insecurity situation in parts of northern Nigeria, especially in states like Zamfara that have suffered repeated bandit attacks, kidnappings, and communal violence.
The FCT Police Command has reiterated its commitment to uprooting criminal networks within its jurisdiction. A police spokesman said that further investigations are ongoing, and that they are working to track down all individuals involved in the illegal supply chain. Meanwhile, the suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation, authorities say.
The arrest of Ahmed Abubakar — reportedly orchestrating procurement of ammunition for bandits — exposes yet another layer of the criminal supply networks fueling insecurity in Nigeria. It highlights the urgency of stepped-up intelligence-driven policing, tighter controls on ammunition and arms sales, and increased coordination among security agencies to prevent weapons from reaching criminal groups.
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