The Department of State Services has arrested a suspected arms dealer believed to be connected to a network supplying weapons to groups involved in deadly attacks across Plateau State and neighbouring northern regions. The arrest marks one of the agency’s most significant breakthroughs in its efforts to curb the rise in coordinated violence in central Nigeria.
Arrest Follows Targeted Intelligence Operation
According to a statement released on Sunday, DSS operatives apprehended the suspect on November 12, 2025. The arrest was carried out after intelligence indicated that the individual was operating an illegal arms workshop in the Mista Ali area of Bassa Local Government Area. The location has been repeatedly flagged in earlier conflict-related investigations due to its proximity to areas affected by recurring communal clashes.
The workshop allegedly served as a hub for manufacturing and assembling weapons destined for armed groups operating across Plateau State and several parts of northern Nigeria.
Weapons Components and Chemicals Recovered
During the operation, DSS operatives reportedly recovered a range of items linked to weapons production, including components used to assemble improvised explosive devices, chemicals, and technical equipment. Security officials say the materials underscore the sophistication of the supply network and suggest a wider distribution chain beyond Plateau.
The suspect, identified as Musa Abubakar, allegedly confessed to producing and distributing high-calibre weapons to multiple armed groups implicated in attacks on villages and communities in the region.
Broader Crackdown on Violent Networks
The arrest forms part of a wider security effort targeting individuals responsible for fuelling violence across northern Nigeria. The DSS recently recaptured Abdulazeez Obadaki, also known as Bomboy, a fugitive who escaped during the Kuje Prison break and was accused of involvement in the Owo church and Deeper Life Church attacks.
Earlier, the agency announced the arrest of nine other suspects, including 46-year-old Timna Manjol, in connection with ongoing investigations into coordinated attacks in Plateau and other conflict-prone areas.
Rising Pressure on Armed Groups in Plateau
Security analysts say the recent arrests reflect an evolving strategy to dismantle the supply lines sustaining violent groups in Plateau State. The region has experienced years of cyclical clashes involving militias, criminal gangs, and extremist cells, often intensified by the availability of illicit weapons.
The DSS says its operations will continue as intelligence gathering deepens and more networks come under scrutiny. Authorities believe that breaking the chain of weapons production and distribution is critical to reducing the frequency and intensity of attacks that have destabilised communities across the region.
