The Department of State Services (DSS) has successfully apprehended a significant arms supplier, Abubakar Mubarak, and dismantled a network that has been supplying weapons to terrorists in Katsina and Nasarawa States. The arrest took place on August 24, 2026, in Magabar Jibia, located in the Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Mubarak, a 28-year-old from Mashema Village in Zamfara State, was identified as a key figure in a trafficking operation that spanned multiple northern states. His capture has been hailed as a substantial victory in the ongoing fight against terrorism in the region.

Community leaders from both Katsina and Nasarawa States expressed their gratitude to the DSS for the operation. One leader from Jibia noted the relief felt by locals, 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. We are however thankful that the Almighty Allah has used the DSS to bring their reign of terror to an end."

In a related operation, the DSS also apprehended Ismail Lawalli, an arms courier, on the evening of August 27, along the Keffi-Abuja Highway in Nasarawa State. Lawalli, who is also from Mashema Village, was found in possession of a substantial cache of ammunition, including 1,099 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 57 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and 106 rounds of General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) ammunition. His confession revealed that he was transporting the ammunition to Mubarak, who had financed the delivery.

This recent success follows the earlier arrest of Mubarak's elder brother, Mustapha Abubakar, in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State. Mustapha was detained earlier this year while in possession of an AK-47 rifle and 20 rounds of ammunition, further linking the family to arms trafficking activities.

The suspects are currently in DSS custody, where they will undergo further investigation before facing prosecution. Community leaders have commended the DSS for its relentless efforts in tracking down and dismantling illicit arms supply networks, which they believe are crucial in addressing the broader issue of insecurity in Nigeria.

One community leader emphasized the importance of collaboration among security agencies, stating, "I commend the DSS for being unrelenting in its resolve to track and dismantle illicit arms supply networks, and other actors who fuel insecurity across the country. We hope that with the combined efforts of other security agencies, insecurity would soon be a thing of the past."

The DSS continues to play a vital role in combating terrorism and ensuring the safety of communities in northern Nigeria, with this operation marking another step towards restoring peace in the region.