Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS) has foiled a major terror plot by intercepting a large consignment of weapons smuggled into the country from Niger Republic, recovering 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines. The operation took place in Dawakawa, in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, less than 70 days before Nigeria's 2027 general elections begin.

The interception followed intensive surveillance of terror cells suspected of moving deadly weapons into Nigeria ahead of the polls, according to a security source familiar with the operation. A female courier was arrested during the operation, and the DSS said it had also tracked down a field commander tasked with causing mayhem ahead of and during the elections.

The DSS has not issued a formal public statement naming the suspects, and the details so far come from a security source who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter. The same figures and location were reported by several Nigerian outlets on 11 and 12 November.

Women and camels used to move weapons, DSS says

According to the security source, terror groups have increasingly turned to women and camels to move illegal weapons into and around Nigeria, as the DSS has stepped up its interception of arms shipments. The source said the Sokoto consignment was moved through remote routes in an attempt to evade surveillance, with the weapons believed to be destined for armed groups operating in the North-West.

The DSS said the operation was part of sustained intelligence-led efforts to dismantle arms-smuggling networks and disrupt the supply chains sustaining terrorism and banditry across the country. The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for 16 January 2027, and security agencies have intensified operations to prevent the movement of illegal weapons in the run-up to the vote.

Fourteenth female courier arrested since February 2025

Earlier in the same week, DSS operatives in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State arrested another suspected female arms courier, Hafsat Umar, who was found with 12 grenades and two ammunition belts. The DSS said she was the 14th female suspected illegal arms courier arrested by the service between February 2025 and November 2026.

Intelligence indicated that Umar had travelled to Niger State to source ammunition for delivery to a notorious bandit leader, Saidu Marafa, based in Kani Kawa, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The arrests of suspected female couriers span Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Taraba, Kaduna and Plateau states, according to the DSS.

A pattern of seizures in 2026

The Sokoto interception is the latest in a series of major arms seizures recorded by Nigerian security agencies in 2026. Last month, the service arrested Aisha Mohammed in Keffi, Nasarawa State, allegedly conveying arms and ammunition through a notorious arms dealer and kidnapper known as Sani. Officers recovered 202 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition and three empty AK-47 magazines from her.

In September 2026, two female couriers, Chika Aguzie and Blessing Nwamba, were arrested at separate locations in Ebonyi State over their alleged involvement in supplying weapons and explosives to commanders of the outlawed Eastern Security Network. Fourteen wraps of improvised explosive device detonators were recovered during that operation.

The DSS said it would sustain intelligence-led operations to dismantle illegal arms networks and prosecute those involved, as the countdown to the 2027 elections continues.

Sources: Platinum Post and The Citizen Nigeria.