The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of a key arms dealer allegedly linked to the deadly Yelwata massacre, following a successful crackdown by the Force Intelligence Department’s Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT).

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police revealed that the arrest is part of a broader operation to dismantle an arms trafficking syndicate believed to be supplying weapons to bandits across Benue, Nasarawa, and other parts of North-Central Nigeria.

According to the statement, the breakthrough came after coordinated tactical raids between June and July 2025. On June 21, FID-IRT operatives acting on credible intelligence stormed a forest hideout straddling Kardako in Nasarawa State and Yelwata in Benue State, both areas plagued by recent attacks. 

A gun battle ensued during the raid, forcing the armed criminals to flee with gunshot wounds.

During the operation, police recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) at the scene.

Further investigations led to the arrest of 25-year-old Abubakar Isah on July 8 along the Lafia–Makurdi highway. He was found in possession of three AK-47 rifles and 1,002 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

The police traced the arms to a notorious supplier identified as Jacob Adikwu, operating from Abinsi in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. 

Adikwu is believed to be a major link in the weapons supply chain to Dan Hassan, a wanted bandit leader connected to violent attacks in Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Niger, and Kwara States.

Police authorities say investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate and bring them to justice.