DSS Seizes 25 Guns and Hundreds of Bullets Smuggled on Camels to Sokoto

(Weapons. Photo by PR Nigeria)

The DSS has stopped a major shipment of illegal weapons coming from the Niger Republic into Sokoto State, Nigeria.

The discovery happened on Tuesday, November 10, at Dawakawa in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

It was part of a wider operation against suspected arms trafficking networks along the Nigeria Niger border.

Security sources said the smugglers were using camels to carry the weapons, taking remote routes and rough terrain to avoid detection.

Officers recovered 21 AK 47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines.

The seizure is seen as a major blow to an alleged cross border supply network that is believed to be helping armed bandit groups in the North West.

The use of camels shows how criminals are changing their methods to move arms across the border.

Security agencies hope the recovered weapons will lead them to the suppliers, transporters and intended buyers.

Zagazola reported that several border communities along the Nigeria Niger frontier have become weak points for arms smuggling, bandit movement and other crimes.

The areas named include Illela, Sabon Birni, Isa, Gudu and Tangaza in Sokoto; Jibia, Kaita, Mai'Adua and Kongolam in Katsina; Zurmi and Shinkafi in Zamfara; and Kamba and Arewa Dandi in Kebbi.

Those areas are hard to monitor because of open borders, informal trade and rough rural terrain, which bandits, Lakurawa and Boko Haram take advantage of.

The report calls for tighter border surveillance, better intelligence sharing and joint operations.

It also argues that security agencies should go after the financiers and suppliers behind the trade, not just the couriers.