**Police Arrest 30-Year-Old Wo
Abuja, FCT – In a significant operation, the Nigeria Police Force has arrested a 30-year-old woman named Hauwa Yusuf for concealing an AK-47 rifle in a bag of garri. The arrest occurred along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, a route notorious for bandit activities. Hauwa was traveling from Lafia, Nasarawa State, to Katsina State when she was intercepted by police officers who were on high alert due to recent intelligence reports.
During the routine stop-and-search operation, the police officers became suspicious of a white sack that Hauwa was carrying. Upon closer inspection, they found an AK-47 rifle and four loaded magazines carefully hidden beneath layers of garri, a popular West African food made from cassava. The discovery of the weapon led to her immediate arrest.
Following her apprehension, Hauwa Yusuf was taken in for questioning. During the interrogation, she confessed to being a courier for a notorious bandit operating in Katsina State. According to her statement, she was tasked with delivering the weapon to the bandit, who has been a significant threat to security in the region. The bandit, whose identity remains undisclosed due to ongoing investigations, is believed to be involved in various criminal activities, including kidnappings and armed robberies, that have plagued the northwestern part of Nigeria.
The arrest of Hauwa Yusuf is part of a broader crackdown on criminal activities across the country. Over the past month, the Nigeria Police Force has intensified its efforts to combat the rising tide of banditry, terrorism, and other forms of organized crime. According to police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, the force has made substantial progress, with 2,726 suspects arrested in connection with high-profile crimes, 150 firearms recovered, and 207 kidnapped victims rescued.
Adejobi highlighted that the arrest of Hauwa Yusuf and the seizure of the AK-47 rifle were among the most significant achievements of the police in recent weeks. “This operation underscores our commitment to eradicating the threat posed by bandits and other criminal elements who continue to terrorize innocent Nigerians. The arrest of this suspect is a major step forward in our ongoing efforts to restore peace and security in Katsina and other affected states,” Adejobi said.
The successful operation has been lauded as a crucial victory in the fight against the proliferation of illegal arms and the networks that supply them to criminals. However, it also sheds light on the increasing involvement of women in these dangerous activities. Hauwa Yusuf’s arrest is not an isolated incident; in 2021, another woman, Aisha Nura, was arrested in Katsina State for allegedly supplying weapons and ammunition to bandits. Nura was caught with over N2.4 million in cash, suspected to be proceeds from an arms deal.
The arrest of these women raises concerns about the tactics employed by criminal organizations to evade detection, often exploiting societal stereotypes that women are less likely to be involved in such crimes. This trend highlights the need for security agencies to adapt their strategies and remain vigilant in their operations.
As the investigation into Hauwa Yusuf’s case continues, the police have vowed to intensify their crackdown on arms trafficking networks and bring all those involved to justice. The public is also encouraged to provide any information that could assist in the fight against banditry and other forms of crime that threaten the nation’s security.
