Woman arrested for smuggling AK-47 rifle

A 30-year-old woman, Hauwa Yusuf, has been apprehended by the Special Tactical Squad (STS) for attempting to smuggle an AK-47 rifle and four magazines hidden inside a sack of garri. The arrest occurred during a routine stop-and-search operation on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

According to Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, who addressed the media on Friday at the STS Headquarters in Abuja, the operation took place on August 14, 2024. Yusuf was intercepted while traveling from Lafia, Nasarawa State, to Katsina State in a Sienna bus. Upon searching her belongings, officers discovered the concealed firearm and ammunition.

During questioning, Yusuf confessed that the arms were intended for delivery to Aminu Basullube, a notorious bandit known for his criminal activities in Katsina State. She revealed that Basullube had instructed her to collect the weapons from Danum Madam Camp in Katsina.

“The suspect was caught while in transit, and a search revealed an AK-47 rifle and four magazines hidden inside a sack of garri. She admitted that the notorious bandit, Aminu Basullube, had sent her to retrieve the weapons,” Adejobi explained.

In her statement, Yusuf claimed ignorance of the sack’s contents, stating, “I didn’t know there was a gun inside. They told me to fetch millet, but they gave me garri instead. When I saw the contents, I was apprehensive. I was paid ₦130,000 for the task, with ₦15,000 allocated for my transport. I regret not asking more questions.”

In a related development, Adejobi provided details of another operation involving Musa Saidu, a suspect under investigation for cattle rustling. A team of STS operatives was dispatched to Igboho, Oyo State, on April 29 to investigate Saidu’s activities. It was discovered that Saidu had been involved in cattle rustling under the leadership of a gang commander named Haruna in the Birnin Gwari forest of Kaduna State.

After being away from his community for five years, Saidu returned and began spending money extravagantly, purchasing several motorcycles and cows. He confessed to being involved in cattle rustling and used the proceeds to acquire the motorcycles and livestock.

“I turned to cattle rustling after my own cattle were stolen. I know it’s illegal, but I did it because of what happened to me. Once I made money, I stopped and returned to my village to enjoy the profits,” Saidu admitted.

Both suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue.