March 03, (THEWILL) — Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have intercepted a suspected weapons supply route to bandits operating in the North-East, arresting two alleged arms couriers and recovering military-grade hardware in Gombe State.
The suspects, Muhammed Alhaji Mohammed, 55, and Sani Gesha, 47, were apprehended at Mararaban Tula in Kaltungo Local Government Area while travelling in a grey Toyota Corolla with registration number Taraba JAL475YQ.
Security sources told THEWILL that the arrest followed over three weeks of covert surveillance on a bandit cell allegedly involved in trafficking arms across Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Adamawa states. The network is believed to be linked to a notorious bandit leader coordinating arms supplies within the region.
According to the source, the DSS operatives launched a well-coordinated operation after gathering credible intelligence on the suspects’ movements and the planned delivery of the weapons consignment.
“The operatives monitored the trafficking syndicate for over three weeks before eventually launching an operation. The operation was professionally carried out, and the suspects were arrested with a huge cache of arms and ammunition”, the source disclosed.
Items recovered during the operation include two Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) warheads and an RPG launcher, weapons considered highly destructive and typically associated with insurgent and bandit groups.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the arms consignment was meant for one Ardo Hamma Ari, said to be a resident of Kukawa Village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
“During investigation, the suspects confessed that the consignment was billed to be delivered to one Ardo Hamma Ari, a resident of Kukawa Village in Alkaleri LGA, Bauchi State”, the source added.
In a related development, DSS operatives also rescued a six-year-old boy, Mohammed Jabir, who was allegedly kidnapped at Gyada Village, Talase, in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Sources said the child was lured away by one Salisu Hussain under the guise of teaching him how to ride a motorcycle. Following a report by the boy’s family, DSS operatives swiftly tracked and apprehended the suspect, leading to the child’s safe rescue.
The boy has since been reunited with his parents, who expressed gratitude to the DSS for the prompt intervention and safe return of their son.
Authorities confirmed that the suspects are currently in DSS custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
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