Troops of 17 Brigade, operating under Operation FANSAN YANMA, have arrested a suspected gunrunner believed to be supplying weapons to several terrorist commanders in the North-West.

The suspect, 25-year-old Saidu Rabiu from Wagini in Batsari LGA, was taken into custody on May 15, 2026, at about 10:20 a.m. According to security sources, soldiers acted on intelligence and moved to the General Hospital in Batsari, where Rabiu was receiving treatment. He was arrested without resistance and transferred for interrogation.

Investigators say Rabiu is linked to the distribution of military-grade arms and ammunition to high-profile figures in the region’s insurgent networks. Those mentioned include Bello Turji, Ado Aliero, and two deceased commanders referred to as Kachalla Black and Yellow. Authorities believe his network helped sustain attacks and kidnappings across Katsina, Zamfara, and parts of Sokoto.

Rabiu remains in military custody as officials probe his contacts and supply routes. No arms were recovered at the time of arrest, but interrogation is ongoing to identify other members of the trafficking chain and potential arms caches.

The arrest comes amid a wider push by Operation FANSAN YANMA in Katsina. In early May, troops neutralized three terrorists in Matazu-Dutsin-Ma and recovered 175 rustled livestock during operations in Matazu, Musawa, and Kankia LGAs. Separate raids in Malumfashi also led to the arrest of six suspected drug peddlers and the seizure