Operatives arrest major arms supplier to bandits captured in Sokoto

Security forces in Sokoto State have arrested a notorious arms trafficker, Hamza Samaila Surudubu, a key supplier of weapons to terrorist groups operating in the region.

Samaila was apprehended on February 20, 2025, by the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps (SSCGC), Isa Division, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) along Shinkafi Road.

According to preliminary investigations, he was en route to deliver arms and ammunition to Bello Turji, Boka, and Halilu Buzu, three of the most notorious bandit leaders in the region.

The Special Adviser on Security Matters, Col. Ahmed Usman (retd), confirmed the arrest in a text message to journalists, stating that the suspect had been handed over to security agencies for further investigation.

In a related development, a Sokoto State lawmaker, Hon. Aminu Almustapha Boza, has raised concerns over the increasing activities of Bello Turji, confirming that the notorious bandit leader has been operating in the Isa and Sabon Birni axis.

According to Boza, Turji has imposed a ₦25 million levy on villages, forcing local communities to pay hefty sums under threat of violence. The lawmaker called on security forces to intensify efforts in neutralizing bandit operations in the area.

A security source disclosed that Surudubu has been a major player in the trafficking of arms from Zamfara State into Eastern Sokoto, supplying weapons to Turji and other terrorist groups.

Intelligence reports suggest that he not only facilitates arms distribution but also ensures bandits receive essential supplies, including food and motorcycles.

There are also allegations of complicity among some security operatives in Shinkafi and Isa local governments, prompting calls from community leaders for a thorough investigation into the arms smuggling network.

Efforts to confirm the arrest from the Nigerian Police Force, Sokoto State Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson was unreachable at the time of filing this report.

However, security stakeholders emphasize that the arrest of Hamza Samaila Surudubu marks a crucial step in disrupting the flow of arms to bandits and restoring security in Eastern Sokoto.

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