The Nigerian military have arrested a prominent gunrunner identified as a major supplier of military-grade weapons to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and the late Kachalla Black during ongoing military operations across the country.
According to a press release made available to S24 Television by the Director, Defence Media Operations Major General Michael Onoja, on ongoing military operations conducted between May 15 and May 21, 2026, the suspect played a major role in supplying arms and ammunition to terrorist kingpins operating in the North West region before his arrest on May 15, 2026, at the General Hospital in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State while reportedly seeking treatment for an undisclosed ailment.
The Defence Headquarters said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA also neutralized several terrorists and recovered weapons during multiple operations across Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states.
In Kaduna State, troops responding to an attack on Kwaga village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area killed three terrorists and recovered a G3 rifle, magazines, and ammunition after engaging the attackers alongside local vigilantes.
In Zamfara State, soldiers intercepted attacks on rural communities and recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, AK-47 rifles, magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition during operations in Maradu and Birnin Magaji local government areas.
The military also reported fresh gains in the North East under Operation HADIN KAI, where troops carried out clearance operations in parts of Borno State, neutralized terrorists, and disrupted insurgent logistics networks.
Several suspected collaborators and logistics suppliers were arrested, including a woman allegedly caught smuggling food items and hijabs to her son, identified as a terrorist commander operating in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Defence Headquarters further disclosed that a number of terrorist family members and suspects surrendered to troops due to sustained military pressure and lack of supplies within insurgent enclaves.
In the North Central region, troops of Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE, and WHIRL STROKE arrested suspected gunrunners, kidnappers, and terrorist collaborators in Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, and Kogi states.
One operation in Taraba State led to the arrest of another gunrunner linked to the illegal sale of 23 AK-47 rifles to a rogue vigilante leader.
Meanwhile, troops operating in Edo, Delta, Cross River, Rivers, and parts of the South East intensified anti-kidnapping operations, dismantled illegal oil bunkering sites, and arrested suspected criminals involved in illegal mining and arms trafficking.
The Defence Headquarters said the coordinated operations across land, air, and maritime theatres led to the neutralization of several hostile fighters, destruction of terrorist camps, rescue of kidnapped victims, and disruption of criminal supply chains nationwide.
The military assured Nigerians that troops remain committed to protecting lives and restoring peace across the country while urging citizens to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence.
