‘I Was Escorted By Soldiers To Supply 450 Rifles And Ammunitions To Bandits’ — Arms Dealer Reveals

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

A 30-year-old notorious arms dealer, Shehu Ali Kachala, has confessed to supplying weapons to criminal gangs across Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger states, allegedly with the support of a military personnel.

Kachala revealed during interrogation that he had been importing rifles and live ammunition from Niger Republic over the past three years. He admitted to delivering 450 rifles and 8,000 rounds of ammunition to various bandit groups, often transporting the weapons under the protection of a soldier who allegedly escorted him through security checkpoints.

According to his confession, each rifle was sold for between N600,000 and N1 million, depending on the model, while ammunition was sold at N1,100 per round. He further disclosed that he made a profit of at least N300,000 on every rifle sold.

Kachala was apprehended by operatives of the Federal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (FIIB) in Gusau, Zamfara State. His arrest and confession have reignited concerns over the persistent access of criminal networks to sophisticated weaponry despite intensified security operations in the region.

Security authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing, while experts have warned that the continued influx of arms from neighbouring countries is exacerbating banditry and insecurity across Nigeria’s North-West.