Troops of Sector 7, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have disrupted a suspected arms trafficking syndicate and recovered seven illegal firearms during an intelligence-led operation in Kaduna State. The operation, conducted in the early hours of Monday, followed credible intelligence on the movement of illicit weapons from Jos, Plateau State, to Niger State. According to the Nigerian Army, troops mounted a targeted stop-and-search operation at the Samaru Checkpoint in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, where they intercepted an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz suspected to be conveying the weapons. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and four submachine guns (SMGs), which had been carefully concealed. The Army disclosed that one of the suspects attempted to escape arrest during the operation but was shot while fleeing. He was immediately evacuated to the Sector 7 Medical Centre in Kafanchan, where he is receiving treatment. Preliminary investigations revealed that the weapons were allegedly supplied by two suspected arms dealers based in Jos and were being transported to an intended recipient in Niger State. The Army described the interception as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and dismantle criminal networks threatening national security. It reiterated its commitment to working closely with other security agencies and members of the public to deny criminal elements freedom of operation across the country. The Nigerian Army also urged Nigerians to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to support the fight against arms trafficking and other forms of criminality.
