Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a 25-year-old woman, Nafisa Usman, for her alleged involvement in supplying ammunition to bandits operating across parts of northern Nigeria.
Security sources disclosed that the suspect was apprehended at a major motor park in Kano, where she was intercepted with 200 rounds of ammunition reportedly being transported from Lafia in Nasarawa State to Kankara in Katsina State.
According to the sources, the arrest followed actionable intelligence that tracked the suspect’s movements and activities, leading to her interception before the consignment could reach its intended destination.
The suspect, said to be a native of Zango village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, was reportedly en route to deliver the ammunition to bandits operating within the Kankara forest when she was arrested.
Sources further revealed that during interrogation, Usman admitted to being involved in the illegal transportation of arms and ammunition for about two months. She allegedly disclosed that the ammunition was handed over to her by an individual identified as “Teso,” whom she claimed operates in collaboration with a military operative based in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Investigations also indicated that the suspect confessed to facilitating transactions worth over ₦5 million, using the Unguwa Uku motor park in Kano as a transit point for shipments destined for Katsina State.
The sources added that the recovered ammunition was intended for a bandit leader identified as Mallam Haruna, who is said to be active in the Kankara axis. The suspect also allegedly mentioned supplying ammunition to other individuals identified as Buba and Abu, who are believed to be operating within the same forest region.
Further disclosures by the suspect indicated that she was introduced to the network by a Kano-based livestock trader identified as Sulaiman, who allegedly linked her to the illicit supply chain.
Security officials noted that the arrest forms part of ongoing efforts by the DSS to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt the flow of illegal arms, and weaken the operational capacity of bandit groups across affected regions.
The development highlights increasing concerns over the role of informal transport routes and civilian couriers in sustaining armed groups, even as security agencies continue to intensify surveillance and intelligence-driven operations.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to tracking down other members of the network and ensuring that those involved in the illegal arms trade are brought to justice.
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