Troops of Operation Enduring Peace on Sunday arrested a dismissed police officer, Inspector Danjuma Yusuf, identified as a suspected high-profile arms trafficker linked to an interstate illegal weapons network in Makera axis, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to a statement obtained by POLITICS NIGERIA, the breakthrough followed credible intelligence on the movement of illicit arms across state lines.

The statement reads, “Acting swiftly, troops of Sector 6, in collaboration with Headquarters Operation Enduring Peace, executed a coordinated intelligence-led operation on Sunday, 14 June 2026.

“The suspect, travelling in a white Peugeot vehicle from Jos South towards the Makera axis in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, was identified, placed under surveillance and intercepted at a military checkpoint in Makera.”

The statement noted that a search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two locally fabricated pistols, 167 rounds of 9mm ammunition, three cans of pepper spray and a jack knife.

Other items found in his possession include two mobile phones, two cutlasses, a police staff tag, photographs of the suspect in police uniform, two ATM cards, a National Identification Number (NIN) card and cash amounting to N73,300.

The statement added, “Preliminary findings identified the suspect as Inspector Danjuma Yusuf, formerly of Nigeria Police Force Base 7, Abuja, who had been dismissed from service.

“Further intelligence indicates that the suspect is a key figure in an interstate arms trafficking syndicate, allegedly supplying weapons to criminal elements involved in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

“He is currently in the custody of the troops where further interrogation is ongoing to uncover his network, including associates, financiers and supply channels.”

The military said the arrest marks a significant disruption of illegal arms trafficking networks and underscores the effectiveness of ongoing intelligence-driven military operations aimed at curbing the proliferation of illicit weapons.

“The Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, remains committed to safeguarding lives and property while sustaining offensive operations against all threats to national security.

“The public is urged to continue providing timely and credible information to support efforts at dismantling criminal networks and restoring lasting peace,” the statement further reads.

Ayodele Arise, chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and aspirant for the ticket of the Ekiti North Senatorial District, has described the party’s primary election as a sham.

He then urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, intervene in the crisis trailing the outcome of the exercise.

In a statement at the weekend, Arise said state governors remained a major challenge for a smooth conduct of the recent APC primaries. 

Recall that the APC Committee, which supervised the process, had declared the sitting lawmaker representing Ekiti North, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, as the winner. 

However, Arise and other contenders for the ticket, including Dipo Bamisaye and Dare Owolabi, had since dismissed the outcome as fraudulent and manipulated.

Senator Arise, who represented the senatorial district between 2007 and 2011, said the primary was a sham and the party is paying lip service to the crisis the election had generated. 

“When we talk about internal democracy, it is still a very big challenge. It’s one thing for us to have a Constitution; it’s another thing for people to try to circumvent it or the guidelines for any election.

“That was demonstrated in no small measure when I tried to come back through the primary because I knew what was in the pipeline, so I went into it to prove a point.

“It will be a shame if some of us passed through this country and we don’t have the voice to correct the anomalies and let people know that if we want to practice democracy, let us practice it. If we don’t want it, it’s a different kettle of fish.

“The experience I had during the primary, I really don’t want to overbeat that because I believe the chairman of the party has spoken with Mr. President, and I think they are looking at all the challenges, and I am sure those of us who worked and won our elections will be given our mandate in due course.”

“As we discover problems, people respond to them, and I believe, more than anybody else, that our President has been very proactive in terms of fixing some of these challenges, working on them, and ensuring that corrections are made before it’s too late,” he stated. 

He added that “the issue of the governors is still a major problem in terms of trying to get to the Senate.

“Even when you aren’t contesting against them, if you aren’t their favored candidate, the chances of your making it are a little bit very challenging.” 

DAILY POST reports that the APC primaries that were held last month were marred with controversies.