Troops of the 17 Brigade under Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested a suspected gunrunner accused of supplying arms and ammunition to terrorist groups operating across the North-West.
The troops arrested the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Saidu Rabiu from Wagini in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State, on May 15, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation.
Security sources said the troops acted on credible intelligence and tracked Rabiu to the General Hospital in Batsari, where he was reportedly receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.
The troops arrested him at the hospital without resistance and later took him into custody for interrogation.
Preliminary investigations indicate that Rabiu allegedly supplied military-grade weapons and ammunition to several notorious terrorist kingpins operating in the region.
Sources also linked him to arms deals involving notorious bandit leaders, including Bello Turji and Ado Aliero, as well as other criminal commanders identified as the late Kachalla Black and Yellow.
Military sources said security agencies are still interrogating the suspect as they intensify efforts to dismantle arms trafficking networks fuelling terrorism and banditry in the North-West.
Authorities described the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations in the region.
Army Arrests 25-Year-Old Suspected Gunrunner Linked to Bello Turji, Ado Aliero
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