The Department of State Services has apprehended a suspected arms dealer believed to be linked to recent violent attacks across Plateau State and nearby regions. The arrest, carried out on November 12, 2025, followed what the agency described as precise intelligence gathering.
The suspect was picked up in the Mista Ali area of Bassa Local Government Area, where DSS operatives raided a workshop allegedly used for manufacturing and distributing weapons. According to the agency, the operation was aimed at dismantling a supply chain that has fueled armed violence in the north-central corridor.
Weapons Components and Explosive Materials Recovered
During the raid, operatives recovered components used in improvised explosive devices as well as chemicals and equipment believed to support illegal weapons manufacturing. The agency stated that the suspect confessed to producing and distributing high-calibre weapons to armed groups implicated in ongoing attacks across Plateau and other northern states.
DSS officials said the discovery of the workshop underscores the sophistication of local arms-production networks and highlights the security challenges complicating counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
Arrest Linked to Broader Crackdown on Violent Groups
This operation comes shortly after the service rearrested Abdulazeez Obadaki, also known as Bomboy, a fugitive who escaped during the Kuje Prison break and is accused of involvement in the deadly Owo and Deeper Life Church attacks.
The recent arrests form part of an intensified crackdown on individuals and networks associated with terrorism, banditry, and communal violence. Earlier this month, the agency also confirmed the arrest of nine suspects, including 46-year-old Timna Manjol, in connection with separate security investigations.
Security Agencies Maintain Increased Momentum
Authorities say the latest breakthrough reflects ongoing collaborative intelligence operations aimed at cutting off the flow of weapons sustaining armed groups. With Plateau State continuing to experience cycles of violence, the DSS has reiterated its commitment to identifying and dismantling supply routes, safe havens, and operational bases linked to extremist and criminal elements.
