Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted and killed a suspected arms courier attempting to smuggle assault rifles into a Kwara State community. The operation led to the recovery of five AK-47 rifles and three magazines hidden inside a charcoal sack.
According to a military statement, the operation was conducted on Thursday, September 25, 2025, by soldiers of the 22 Armoured Brigade under Operation Park Strike V. Acting on what was described as “credible intelligence,” the troops mounted a snap checkpoint along the Share–Gbugbu Road in Edu Local Government Area, where they stopped a Volkswagen Golf 3 with registration number Bayelsa SAG-133 XA.
The driver reportedly attempted to escape but was swiftly neutralised. A detailed search of the vehicle uncovered the cache of weapons, which were concealed to evade detection.
Military sources disclosed that the courier had been tracked from Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State — a well-known hub for banditry and arms trafficking — before being intercepted in Kwara at around 8:30 a.m.
Commending the troops, Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins, praised their “resilience and professionalism,” stressing that the interception likely prevented a deadly attack on local communities.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to denying criminal elements freedom of action within our area of responsibility,” General Barkins said. He urged residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring that troops would continue to intensify operations to safeguard lives and property.
The military reaffirmed its resolve to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity and vowed to sustain pressure on criminal networks involved in arms trafficking, banditry, and other violent crimes.
