Troops of 17 Brigade, Operation FANSAN YANMA, have apprehended a suspected gunrunner believed to be involved in the supply of weapons and ammunition to terrorist groups operating in the North-West region of Nigeria.
Suspect Identified and Arrested
The suspect, identified as Saidu Rabiu, a 25-year-old resident of Wagini in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State, was taken into custody on May 15, 2026, at approximately 10:20 a.m. Acting on credible intelligence, troops swiftly mobilized to the General Hospital in Batsari, where the suspect was reportedly receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. He was arrested without resistance and subsequently moved for interrogation.
Links to Notorious Terror Kingpins
Preliminary investigations have allegedly linked the suspect to the supply of military-grade weapons and ammunition to several notorious terror kingpins operating in the region. These include Bello Turji, Ado Aliero, and other criminal commanders identified as the late Kachalla Black and Yellow.
The troops confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further interrogation to uncover wider arms trafficking networks that support terrorist operations in the North-West. The arrest marks a significant step in efforts to dismantle the supply chains fueling insurgency in the area.
