Operatives of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested suspects reportedly involved in supplying arms and illicit drugs to bandits operating across parts of the country.
The arrests were disclosed on Tuesday during a press briefing by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, in Abuja.
Hundeyin said operatives of the IRT arrested two suspected arms suppliers, John Magah, 45, and Ishaya Stephen, 43, during an ongoing investigation.
He said Magah was identified as a local gun fabricator who facilitates the sale of arms and ammunition to bandits.
According to Hundeyin, “Operatives of the IRT, in an ongoing investigation, arrested one John Magah, aged 45, and one Ishaya Stephen, aged 43, and recovered from them one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, one pump-action gun and four live cartridges.
“Investigation revealed that they supply arms to bandits and to one Daudume Bayina, who has also been arrested by operatives of the IRT. John Magah, investigation revealed, is a gun fabricator who facilitates the sale of these arms and ammunition.
“Both suspects have been in the business of selling arms for over five years and operate within Adamawa State and along the Cameroonian border. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the crime syndicate.”
In a separate operation, the police arrested a suspected illicit drug supplier, Ifeanyi Egbeke, 40, on November 2, 2025, in Kaduna State.
Hundeyin said Egbeke was intercepted in collaboration with the Department of State Services, with exhibits including rolls and packets of tramadol, 326 bottles of codeine, BP injection syrups, Hypnos tablets and a roll of Indian hemp.
According to him, investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly supplied drugs to bandits operating in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto states.
He said, “On November 2, 2025, at about 4:00 pm, operatives of the IRT, in collaboration with the DSS, acting on intelligence, intercepted a vehicle in Kaduna State and arrested one Ifeanyi Egbeke, aged 40.
“Recovered from him were 39 rolls and four packets of tramadol, 326 bottles of codeine, 52 rolls and eight sachets of BP injection syrups, 38 rolls and four sachets of Hypnos tablets, and one roll of Indian hemp.
“Further investigation revealed that the suspect supplies these illicit drugs to bandits within Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states.”
The police also announced the arrest of an alleged gunrunner, Salisu Mohammed, also known as Mande Dawa, in Birnin Tasaba village, Zumi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
