The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has uncovered an alleged arms supply network linked to bandit groups, recovering two FN FAL rifles and live ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in a forest located between Plateau and Bauchi states.
The breakthrough followed the arrest of four suspects accused of supplying arms, ammunition and illicit substances to bandits. The suspects were earlier paraded at the FCT Police Command Headquarters on July 11, 2026.
According to the Command, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched a follow-up operation on August 2 after one of the suspects, Musbahu Ishaq, provided credible intelligence during interrogation.
The intelligence led the operatives to Dajin Madam Forest, where investigators uncovered one of the criminal syndicate’s operational hideouts.
Police investigations revealed that Ishaq allegedly obtained arms and ammunition from Rabiu Hassan before supplying them to Baba Alhaji Sanusi, a suspected bandit kingpin currently at large and believed to be hiding in a forest in Katsina State.
A thorough search of the hideout led to the recovery of two FN FAL rifles and live ammunition concealed within the camp.
The Police said investigations are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate, recover additional weapons linked to the network and prosecute everyone connected with the illegal arms supply operation.
Reacting to the development, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing in the fight against kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.
He assured residents that operations would continue until all members of the criminal network were apprehended and brought to justice.
Sanusi also urged members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information through the nearest police station or the FCT Police Command’s emergency lines.
The latest operation forms part of the Command’s sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks responsible for supplying illegal weapons to bandits and other violent offenders operating within and beyond the Federal Capital Territory.
