The Nigeria Police Force has achieved a breakthrough in its ongoing investigations into a string of deadly attacks on communities in Benue State, intercepting and dismantling a sophisticated arms supply syndicate believed to be fueling banditry across North-Central Nigeria.
On June 21, 2025, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), acting on intelligence regarding suspects involved in the Yelwata killings, raided a forest hideout straddling Kardako in Nasarawa State and Yelwata in Benue State. A fierce gun duel ensued, with bandits fleeing the scene with gunshot wounds. Officers recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs).
Just weeks later, on July 8, FID-IRT operatives apprehended 25-year-old Abubakar Isah along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway. He was found with three AK-47 rifles and over 1,000 rounds of live ammunition, allegedly destined for distribution to bandit groups. Investigators traced the arms back to a notorious dealer, Jacob Adikwu, operating in Guma LGA, Benue, whose clientele included notorious bandit kingpin Dan Hassan, implicated in attacks across five states.
On July 12, police arrested one Ibrahim, also known as “Chelsea”, who admitted sending ₦6.5 million to Adikwu—₦6 million for arms procurement and ₦500,000 for modifying a vehicle to conceal the weapons. In a follow-up operation, Adikwu was captured on July 16 in Abinsi town with three AK-47s, 220 rounds of ammunition, and a Volkswagen car. Further search on July 17 yielded five additional AK-47s, a rocket launcher, and 1,000 rounds of live ammunition.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Dan Hassan and other criminal elements behind the violence. Those already in custody will face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, praised the operatives for their bravery and persistence, vowing that there will be no refuge for individuals profiting from the bloodshed of Nigerians. He reaffirmed the Police Force’s commitment to peace and stability across Nigeria, in line with directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
