Yelwata killings: Suppliers of guns arrested
No fewer than two notorious arms dealers, who supplied different calibres of guns and rifles to the attackers of over 200 victims, including children and women in Yelwata, Benue State, have been arrested. In fierce and offensive operations carried by the security forces along the Lafia-Makurdi expressway in Makurdi, Benue State, one Abubakar Isah was […]
No fewer than two notorious arms dealers, who supplied different calibres of guns and rifles to the attackers of over 200 victims, including children and women in Yelwata, Benue State, have been arrested.
In fierce and offensive operations carried by the security forces along the Lafia-Makurdi expressway in Makurdi, Benue State, one Abubakar Isah was nabbed with three AK-47 rifles and 1002 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
Another arms dealer identified as Jacob Adikwu, who was operating from Abinsi, Guma Local Government area of Benue State, was also arrested last week Wednesday when security forces swooped on him in his hideout.
Daily Trust reports that more than 100 innocent people including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were murdered in cold blood in June when their attackers stormed Yelwata while many others were injured.
President Bola Tinubu had since visited the scene of the attacks and the hospitals where the victims were receiving treatment, while directing the military, police and other security forces to hunt down the attackers.
Giving an update on Wednesday, the spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed that Adikwu was scheduled to deliver some guns to one Dan Hassan, a bandit kingpin when he was arrested.
Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, explained that the bandit kingpin was known for orchestrating deadly attacks against communities across Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger and Kwara states.
The senior police officer noted that more arrests were made following thorough investigations, adding that two GPMG, 12 AK-47 rifles and 2222 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.
He also disclosed that the operatives stormed bandits’ hideout located in a forest at the boundary of Kardako, Nasarawa State and Yelwata in Benue State where a fierce gun duel ensued between bandits and security forces.
According to him, the intense gun duel made the bandits flee with various degrees of gunshot injuries, adding that the force had since launched a manhunt against the bandits’ kingpin, Dan Hassan.
He added, “Similarly, On 8th July 2025, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), in a tactical operation, along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway in Makurdi, Benue State, arrested one Abubakar Isah, aged 25, found in possession of three AK47 rifles and 1002 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
“The arrest followed actionable intelligence indicating an impending arms movement intended for distribution to bandits groups known to be terrorizing various communities in Benue State.
“Further investigations revealed that the arms and ammunition were supplied by a notorious arms dealer, Jacob Adikwu, operating from Abinsi, Guma Local Government area of Benue State, and was to be delivered to one Dan Hassan, a bandit kingpin known for orchestrating deadly attacks against communities across Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger and Kwara states.
“In another related development, on the 12th of July 2025, FID-IRT operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested one Ibrahim aka Chelsea, who confessed to have sent the sum of N6.5 million to the same Adikwu Jacob – N6m being payment for delivery of two AK47 rifles and 2000 rounds of live ammunition, while N500,000 serves as payment for construction of a compartment in the Volkswagen vehicle to conceal the said arms for transportation to Kwara State.
“In a swift follow-up clearance operation, the operatives stormed Abinsi town and successfully apprehended Jacob Adikwu on 16th July 2025 and recovered three AK-47 rifles, 220 rounds of live ammunition and a Volkswagen car from his hideout.
“Further investigation carried out by the operatives on the 17th July 2025 led to the recovery of additional five AK-47 rifles, one rocket launcher, and 1000 rounds of live ammunition from the same arms dealer.
“Efforts are being intensified to ensure Dan Hassan and other criminal elements responsible for terrorizing Benue State and other parts of the country are brought to book, while others in custody will have their day in court upon conclusion of investigation.”
Adejobi said the Inspector-General of Police has reiterated that there will be no hiding place for criminals who profit from the bloodshed of innocent Nigerians.
He added, “The IGP further urges the operatives to sustain their efforts at maintaining peace in the affected areas as directed by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while reaffirming the Force’s commitment to ensuring peace and stability across the country.”