Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines that were allegedly being smuggled from Niger on camels. Security sources quoted by Channels Television and the counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama say the seizure took place on Tuesday 10 November at Dawakawa, in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
What was seized, and where
Channels Television said the consignment was intercepted after surveillance of suspected terrorist networks trying to move weapons into the country. Zagazola Makama, as reported by TheCable, said the smugglers used camels to move through remote, difficult terrain on the Nigeria–Niger border so they could avoid security patrols, and that the weapons were suspected to be heading to armed bandit groups in north-western Nigeria.
The haul reported by both outlets:
- 21 AK-47 assault rifles
- 4 PKT machine guns
- 825 magazines
The PKT is the vehicle-mounted version of the Soviet-designed PK general-purpose machine gun, built for tanks and armoured vehicles. In Nigeria’s north-west, armed groups have been seen using such weapons on improvised mounts. The reports did not say how many people were arrested at Dawakawa. When this article was published, we had not found a named DSS spokesperson’s statement on the seizure; the details come from security sources cited by the media.
Camels and female couriers
A security source told Channels Television that more DSS interceptions have pushed criminal groups to find other ways of moving arms, including using women and pack animals, especially camels. Earlier the same week, DSS operatives arrested a suspected female arms courier, Hafsat Umar, in Talata Mafara LGA of Zamfara State, allegedly carrying 12 grenades and two ammunition belts. The source described her as the 14th female arms courier the service had arrested between February 2025 and November 2026, and said she would be charged in court.
A porous frontier
TheCable’s report listed border communities considered vulnerable to arms trafficking and bandit movements. They include Illela, Sabon Birni, Isa, Gudu and Tangaza in Sokoto; Jibia, Kaita, Mai’Adua and Kongolam in Katsina; Zurmi and Shinkafi in Zamfara; and Kamba and Arewa Dandi in Kebbi. The report said bandits, the Lakurawa group and Boko Haram exploit porous borders, informal trade networks and rural terrain that is hard to monitor. For background on Lakurawa’s presence in Sokoto, see our report on Nigerian operations in the Waria forest.
The seizure comes as Nigeria heads towards its 2027 general elections, which Channels Television said are less than 70 days away. Relations with Niamey are still strained, and cross-border security cooperation has been limited since Niger’s 2023 coup and its move into the Alliance of Sahel States. For more on the wider regional picture, see Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters on the AES and the MNJTF.
Sources
- Channels Television, “DSS Intercepts Arms Shipment From Niger Republic In Sokoto, Arrests Female Courier”, 11 November 2026 (citing a security source).
- TheCable, “DSS intercepts arms consignment ‘smuggled from Niger Republic’ on camels in Sokoto”, 11 November 2026 (citing Zagazola Makama).
- Punch and ThisDay, reports on the same interception, 11 November 2026.