Community Leaders Applaud DSS Over Arrest of Alleged Arms Trafficking Kingpin in Katsina, Nasarawa

Community leaders in Nigeria's Katsina and Nasarawa states have lauded the Department of State Services (DSS) for a significant operation that led to the arrest of Abubakar Mubarak, an alleged kingpin in a major arms trafficking network. The operation also resulted in the dismantling of a network suspected of supplying weapons to terrorist groups operating in the northern regions.

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We are very relieved and thankful to the DSS for arresting Mubarak. Many villagers are aware of the terror his men have been unleashing on us over the years.

Mubarak was apprehended by DSS operatives on Tuesday in Magabar Jibia, Katsina State. He is believed to be around 28 years old and hails from Zamfara State. Community leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, described the arrest as a major relief for residents who have endured years of insecurity and attacks allegedly linked to Mubarak's network.

One leader from Jibia Local Government Area expressed gratitude, stating, "We are very relieved and thankful to the DSS for arresting Mubarak. Many villagers are aware of the terror his men have been unleashing on us over the years." The leader added, "We are, however, thankful that the Almighty Allah has used the DSS to bring their reign of terror to an end."

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We are, however, thankful that the Almighty Allah has used the DSS to bring their reign of terror to an end.

The breakthrough in apprehending Mubarak reportedly came after the arrest of an arms courier, Ismail Lawalli, on Sunday evening along the Keffi-Abuja Highway in Nasarawa State. Lawalli, also from Zamfara State, was found with a substantial cache of ammunition, including 1,099 rounds of 7.62mm, 57 rounds of 5.56mm, and 106 rounds of General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) ammunition. Lawalli confessed that he was transporting the ammunition for Mubarak, leading DSS operatives to the alleged kingpin.

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The community leader, a retired security agent, disclosed that Lawalli, also a native of Mashema village, was nabbed by DSS operatives with 1,099 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 57 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and 106 rounds of General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) ammunition.

Further investigation revealed that Mubarak's elder brother, Mustapha Abubakar, was previously arrested in Gusau, Zamfara State, earlier this year for alleged involvement in arms trafficking. The suspects are currently in DSS custody for further investigation, with prosecution expected. Community leaders commended the DSS for its persistent efforts in dismantling illicit arms supply networks that fuel insecurity across the country, expressing hope for a future free from such threats.

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He revealed that the courier admitted to conveying the ammunition to Mubarak, who had allegedly paid for the haulage, a confession that led operatives to the kingpin in Katsina State.