The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 38-year-old suspect, Mustapha Mohammad, over the unlawful possession of 954 pieces of suspected explosive materials, in what security officials describe as a major disruption of criminal supply chains in the state.
The arrest, which occurred on Monday, January 27, 2026, was carried out by operatives of the Task Force on Illegal Mining, led by ASP Aminu Aliyu, during a routine security operation.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, the suspect was intercepted at about 4:15 pm while driving a Toyota Corolla with registration number KUJ 933 EJ.
“A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 954 pieces of suspected explosive materials concealed in polyethylene bags,” Abubakar said in a statement on Tuesday.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the recovered materials were likely intended for use by bandits as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), raising fresh security concerns amid ongoing efforts to curb violent attacks in the North-West.
The suspect remains in police custody, while the recovered exhibits have been transferred to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit for safe handling and detailed forensic analysis.
DSP Abubakar said investigations are ongoing to trace the source and destination of the explosives, as well as to identify and apprehend other individuals believed to be connected to the operation.
“The command is committed to dismantling criminal networks involved in the supply of explosives to armed groups and will ensure all those responsible are brought to justice,” he added.
The Zamfara State Police Command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely intelligence to security agencies to support ongoing anti-banditry operations across the state.
Illegal Mining Persists, Explosives, and Bandit Networks in Zamfara
Zamfara State has become a key flashpoint in Nigeria’s security crisis due to the intersection of illegal mining and banditry, with both activities increasingly relying on explosives and informal supply chains.
Security agencies say explosives are commonly used in illegal gold mining operations across remote parts of Zamfara. These materials are often diverted or sold to armed bandit groups, who repurpose them as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or use them to intimidate communities and security forces.
The state’s vast, poorly monitored mining sites provide cover for weapons storage, logistics hubs, and recruitment, making it difficult to distinguish between criminal miners and armed groups. Proceeds from illegal mining are believed to finance bandit operations, including the purchase of weapons, motorcycles, fuel, and explosives.
In recent months, Nigerian security forces have intensified operations targeting illegal mining corridors, viewing them as critical lifelines for bandit groups operating in the North-West.
Authorities say disrupting the movement of explosives, as in the latest arrest, is key to weakening bandit capabilities, limiting their ability to carry out coordinated attacks and reducing the overall threat to civilians.
Security officials continue to urge residents to report suspicious movements of mining materials, chemicals, or explosives, noting that community intelligence remains one of the most effective tools in combating banditry in the region.
