Troops of the 17 Brigade, Operation FANSAN YANMA, have arrested a suspected gunrunner allegedly linked to the supply of weapons and ammunition to terrorist groups operating in Nigeria’s North-West region.
The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Saidu Rabiu from Wagini in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State, was arrested on May 15, 2026, at about 10:20 a.m.
According to military sources, troops acted on credible intelligence and swiftly mobilised to the General Hospital in Batsari, where the suspect was reportedly receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.
He was arrested at the hospital without resistance and subsequently taken into custody for interrogation.
Preliminary investigations allegedly linked Rabiu to the supply of military-grade weapons and ammunition to several notorious terror kingpins operating in the region, including Bello Turji, Ado Aliero, and other criminal commanders identified as the late Kachalla Black and Yellow.
Military authorities said the suspect remains in custody and is undergoing further interrogation as security operatives intensify efforts to uncover wider arms trafficking networks supporting terrorist activities across the North-West.
