Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded another major breakthrough in the fight against arms trafficking, with the arrest of two notorious gunrunners in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State. According to a statement by Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), the suspects — Mr. Abdullahi Balarabe, aged 40, and his 18-year-old wife, Shafaatu Abdullahi — were intercepted with 1,207 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
The successful operation, carried out on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, was the result of actionable intelligence shared by an intelligence agency in Plateau State. Acting swiftly, troops from JTF OPEP and Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) set up a snap checkpoint at the outskirts of Saminaka, where the suspects were eventually captured. The recovered ammunition, believed to be headed to armed groups in the North West, is now in military custody as investigations continue to trace the wider gunrunning network.
Major General Folusho Oyinlola, General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander JTF OPEP, praised the troops for their vigilance, discipline, and timely coordination. He emphasized that the success demonstrated the value of inter-agency collaboration in tackling organized crime and safeguarding citizens.
Oyinlola assured residents that JTF OPEP remains unwavering in its mission to restore peace and stability across the region. “We will not relent in our efforts to eliminate the activities of terrorists and criminal elements, ensuring that peace and prosperity take firm root once again,” he affirmed.
