A Chief Magistrate Court in Jalingo, Taraba State, has sentenced three individuals to ten years in prison for their roles in a high-stakes arms trafficking operation.
The convicts, Sakina Garba, Ali Gono, and Ibrahim Abdulrashid were handed the decade-long sentence without the option of a fine after being apprehended by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The trio’s downfall began earlier this year, between January and February 2026, following a targeted intelligence operation. Security reports indicated that the group was part of a logistics chain intending to transport a cache of weaponry from Bantaje village in the Wukari Local Government Area to a notorious bandit kingpin.
The suspects were eventually intercepted by DSS operatives along the Wukari-Jalingo road. In a desperate attempt to evade detection, they had concealed the weaponry inside two sacks of food items.
However, a thorough search of the cargo revealed the lethal nature of their shipment, leading to their immediate arrest.
Upon inspection, security sources confirmed the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, 14 rifle magazines, and over 1,000 rounds of specialized ammunition—specifically 984 rounds of 7.6mm and 105 rounds of 7.82mm. Additionally, the operatives seized three POS machines and ₦200,200 in cash, suspected to be proceeds or tools for illicit transactions.
In a related crackdown on arms couriers, a woman named Halima Haliru Umar has pleaded guilty to the illegal possession of 302 rounds of live ammunition before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
She was arrested by the DSS in Plateau State while attempting to deliver the rounds to another bandit leader.
During the Abuja proceedings, Justice Haywa Joseph Yilwatda admitted the recovered ammunition and the defendant’s confession into evidence. The court heard detailed testimony regarding the investigation report and the cash recovered from her person at the time of the arrest.
While the Jalingo convicts begin their sentences immediately, Justice Yilwatda has adjourned Halima Umar’s case until May 8 for final sentencing.
